US, South Korea must shore up alliance to keep North in check

The US and South Korea have held a ‘two-plus-two’ meeting of foreign and defence ministers in Washington, during which they positioned the improvement in North Korea’s nuclear and missile capability as ‘a direct threat’ while also announcing specific policies to deal with the situation.

The policies include a US pledge to continue providing South Korea with extended deterrence, the main pillar of which is a nuclear umbrella. The two nations have also agreed to establish high-level dialogue aimed at discussing deterrence-enhancing measures. Another policy is to deploy a state-of-the-art US missile defense system with the US forces stationed in South Korea as soon as possible.

The US’ action, taken to clearly express its determination to defend South Korea, was greatly significant for preserving stability in Asia.

At a press conference, US Secretary of State John Kerry warned North Korea that any use of nuclear weapons would be “met with an effective and overwhelming response.” His remark can be described as a strong message that hinted at the possibility of retaliating against North Korea with a nuclear weapon.

North Korea has not stopped making moves to prepare for the deployment of nuclear missiles for war, disregarding international calls for that country to exercise self-restraint in this respect.

Pyongyang has test-fired Musudan missiles, a mid-range ballistic missile that could reach the US territory of Guam, on two separate occasions, to coincide with a US-South Korea joint maritime drill and the ministerial talks in mid-October. However, the test-fires immediately failed on both occasions. North Korea’s conduct was a provocative action that violated a UN Security Council resolution aimed at imposing sanctions on that country, and it cannot be overlooked.

Seoul’s cooperation vital

Although North Korea has test-fired eight Musudan missiles since April, the only successful launch was the one conducted in late June. This seems to show that the country has not yet established the necessary technology, and that it is therefore trying to improve the technology involved through missile tests.

October’s test-launches have taken place in North Korea’s north-western area and not the eastern area as in the past. The North may have sought to show off its capability to launch surprise missile attacks from anywhere on its soil.

North Korea has said it will continue to test-fire long-range ballistic missiles, which it calls “artificial satellites.”

The country is also preparing to push through another nuclear test, the sixth of its kind.

There are also concerns that North Korea may take provocative action against the US, choosing the US presidential election on Nov. 8 or some other occasion as the timing for such an act — a move that could further increase tensions.

The main factor behind the action taken by Washington and Seoul to emphasize the US nuclear umbrella is the lingering calls within South Korea to arm the nation with nuclear weapons of its own. South Korean President Park Geun-hye has said she will try to strengthen her country’s alliance with the US, so South Koreans’ trust in extended deterrence can be increased.

It is worrying to note that there has been little progress in Japan-South Korea cooperation in facilitating a partnership among Japan, the US and South Korea, all of which undertake to protect regional security. We hope South Korea will hurriedly facilitate coordination at home, so a General Security of Military Information Agreement that would enable Japan to share North Korean missile and other information can be concluded with our country.

(Asia News Network/The Japan News )
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