By Kang Seung-woo



Korea is taking no sides amid growing speculation that the United States is pressing Seoul to back its biggest ally in a South China Sea dispute.



Washington and Beijing have exchanged words about the latter's efforts to build artificial islands and military installations in the region that is raising tensions with neighboring countries.



Amid the intensifying feud between the two superpowers, the U.S. seems to be continuously urging Korea to speak out against China's behavior and the issue is expected to come up for discussion in next week's summit.



"There has been no change to our position on the issue since last week," said an official at the foreign ministry, Tuesday.



The ministry stated then that the Korean government hoped that the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea will be thoroughly and effectively implemented.



It continued that the code of conduct being negotiated between China and ASEAN should be concluded as soon as possible, thereby helping maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.



The comment came days after Walter Lohman, the director of the Heritage Foundation's Asian Studies Center, said Saturday that Korea should comment on the issue.



"The two countries could align diplomatic positions on the issues of the day. For example, it would be encouraging to see South Korea become more vocal and direct in support of customary international law with regard to tensions in the South China Sea," Lohman said in a contribution to Japan's Nikkei Asian Review.



The analyst also said that the two allies emphasized the importance of freedom of navigation in the area in a joint statement issued in October after high-level security talks in Washington between their defense and foreign ministers.



"In the future, such statements, including any associated with Park's visit to Washington, should be more direct about the need for China to clarify its claims in keeping with the principle that maritime rights proceed only from legitimate land claims," he said.



Last week, Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel also said that Korea should speak out against China's forceful assertion of its territorial claims in the South China Sea as it is a major stakeholder in the international order in which it has thrived.



Despite sitting on the fence over the issue, it remains to be seen if Korea can reject the U.S. demand in the upcoming summit, scheduled for June 16.



"With just a week ahead of the Korea-U.S. summit, such calls are aimed at creating a positive atmosphere for the two heads of state to talk about the issue in the bilateral meeting," said Prof. Kim Hyun-wook at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy.



"The U.S. government has invited President Park Geun-hye as well as Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as part of increasing economic, security and diplomatic engagement with the region, or the U.S. rebalance to Asia policy. Recent calls are in line with the strategy."



Kim expects the issue will be included in a joint communique or a vision statement after the summit because it counts most to the U.S.



