An analysis of Asia-Pacific geopolitics suggests that North Korea and China are important rivals of the West, the United States (“USA”) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In this framework, it can be argued that while the rivalry between the West and North Korea has a more regional course, the struggle between the West and China has an impact on global balances.
In this context, it is worth mentioning that North Korea is one of the world’s largest nuclear powers[1]. On the other hand, Pyongyang conducted a record number of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile tests and nuclear drills in 2022.[2] Moreover, sanctions resolutions within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) against North Korea’s growing nuclear power and increasing nuclear drills are blocked by Chinese and Russian vetoes.[3] In addition to all these, Pyongyang’s anti-Western and anti-US rhetoric also increases tensions.
Looking at the Chinese dimension of these competitions,[4] it should be noted that the country surpassed Japan [5] to become the world’s second largest economy in 2010 following the global economic crisis that started in 2008.[6] Indeed, Beijing’s growth has led it to challenge the US and NATO-based Western order. In this framework, it can be argued that there is a geoeconomic, geopolitical and geostrategic competition between the West and China.
This rivalry has led the US to gain important allies in the Asia-Pacific region by building alliances and creating grounds for cooperation. In this context, it can be stated that Australia, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, New Zealand and the Philippines are important regional allies of the West. However, it is clear that South Korea and Japan stand out among these states. In fact, Japan’s admission to the UNSC as a non-permanent temporary member has strengthened the US hand against China and North Korea.[7]
On the other hand, there are many historical problems between Seoul and Tokyo dating back to the Japanese occupation. These problems include compensation for forced labor during the war, comfort women, and the Dokdo/Takeshima Islands. However, the West has been able to consolidate these two actors, especially since they feel the nuclear threats posed by North Korea closely and because of their anti-China stance.
Although the two sides are able to find common ground over common opponents in foreign policy-making processes, historical problems between Japan and South Korea still persist. For example, Seoul’s conduct of exercises over the disputed Dokdo/Takeshima Islands was condemned by Tokyo as “extremely regrettable”.[8]
On July 7, 2023, Japan’s Foreign Ministry announced that a senior diplomat was summoned to the South Korean Embassy in Tokyo and a senior South Korean official was summoned to the Japanese Embassy in Seoul.[9] At the same time, the following statements were also included in the statement in question:[10]
“Takeshima is indisputably a natural territory of Japan in light of historical facts and based on international law. The South Korean Army’s drills are unacceptable and extremely regrettable.”
This situation shows that states still keep their historical problems in their minds, even if they display a unity against a common opponent. In this context, it can be stated that conflicts over these problems are likely to harm the US’s regional alliances. Moreover, China and North Korea may also bring these disputes to the agenda and bring an anti-Western policy to the agenda through these disputes.
In conclusion, it can be argued that even though the US can unite regional actors through the perception of a “common enemy”, the historical problems between these states will not be resolved in the short term and will continue to stand as a grenade with the pin pulled within the Western alliance in the Asia-Pacific.
[1] “Is It Time to Accept North Korea is a Nuclear Power?”, Cable News, Network World, https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/28/asia/north-korea-nuclear-threat-solution-analysis-intl-hnk/index.html, (Date of Accession: 10.07.2023).
[2] “North Korea’s Record Year of Missile Testing is Putting the World on Edge”, Cable News, Network World, https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/26/asia/north-korea-missile-testing-year-end-intl-hnk/index.html, (Date of Accession: 10.07.2023).
[3] “China and Russia Veto New UN Sanctions on North Korea for First Time Since 2006”, Cable News, Network World, https://edition.cnn.com/2022/05/26/asia/us-north-korea-united-nations-intl-hnk/index.html#:~:text=Russia%20and%20China%20on%20Thursday,develop%20nuclear%2Dcapable%20missile%20systems. (Date of Accession: 10.07.2023).
[4] “What Was the Financial Crisis of 2007–2008? Causes, Outcomes&Lessons Learned”, The Street, https://www.thestreet.com/dictionary/f/financial-crisis-2007-2008, (Date of Accession: 10.07.2023).
[5] “China Overtakes Japan as World’s Second-Biggest Economy”, British Brodacsting Corporation, https://www.bbc.com/news/business-12427321, (Date of Accession: 10.07.2023).
[6] “Largest Economies in the World”, Wisevoter, https://wisevoter.com/country-rankings/largest-economies-in-the-world/, (Date of Accession: 10.07.2023).
[7] “Japan Joins U.N. Security Council as New Nonpermanent Member, Kyodo News, https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/01/6c679e2ec5bf-japan-joins-un-security-council-as-new-nonpermanent-member.html, (Date of Accession: 10.07.2023).
[8] “Japan Protests to South Korea Over Military Drills on Disputed Islands”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-protests-skorea-over-military-drill-disputed-islands-2023-07-07/, (Date of Accession: 10.07.2023).
[9] Ibid.
[10] “Japan Protests to…”, a.g.m.
