The Asia-Pacific Region is one of the regions where global security is most fragile and therefore attracts the attention of world public opinion. As a matter of fact, there are many problematic issues in the region, such as Taiwan, South China Sea, Kuril Islands, Dokdo and Takeshima Islands, Comfort women, compensation cases against the Japanese occupation, and instability in the Korean Peninsula. Among them, North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile tests are of great concern, especially in terms of the globality of the threat it poses.
On March 16, 2023, the South Korean Government called the National Security Council for an urgent meeting after North Korea launched a new missile. South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol has strongly condemned North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile tests. Yoon said that Pyongyang would pay for its provocations and that the trials created severe security concerns regionally and globally.[1] At the same time, it was reported that Yoon ordered the South Korean army to conduct joint exercises with the United States of America (USA) to continue its preparations against North Korea. It was also reported that Yoon wanted Japan, the United States, and South Korea to promote their security cooperation.[2]
South Korea cannot get results from the denuclearization efforts on the Korean Peninsula and calls for dialogue and negotiation with North Korea. Pyongyang hardens both its rhetoric and actions and continues to make threatening statements. For this reason, Seoul is in search of a new method. It can be stated that the main reason for all this is to ensure the national and regional security of South Korea.It can be argued that the United States has an essential place in the different methods that Seoul is seeking and that South Korea has hardened its rhetoric against North Korea for this reason.
On the other hand, this development can also be read in this context. As a matter of fact, rather than a solution, Seoul’s hardening of its rhetoric; likely to fuel conflict. Because the alliance relations, exercises, and discourses on the Asia-Pacific Region, and especially on the basis of the USA, are provoking North Korea even more.
At the same time, Yoon Suk Yeol’s visit to Japan can be evaluated in this context because Yoon wants to achieve complete consolidation between the two countries and create a clear front against Pyongyang. As a matter of fact, South Korean President Yoon, in his statement on March 15, 2023, said that cooperation with Japan is vital in order to counter the increasing threats of North Korea and protect global supply chains and urged both countries not to disrupt relations in domestic politics.[3] It is also significant that it came after the announcement that compensation would be paid to victims of forced labor during the Japanese occupation period of 1910-1945.[4]
Currently, South Korea and Japan are positioned as the strongest allies of the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the Asia-Pacific Region. It can be
argued that the common threat perception of the said states plays a decisive role in this regard
because both actors are countries that have historically serious problems. However, it is seen that common security concerns bring the parties together.
It can be said that the situation in question is beneficial for both the USA and NATO because unity is essential in terms of the influence these actors have in the region. In addition to all these, the West’s allies and alliances in the area are of great importance in the policy of encircling China and deterring North Korea from nuclear tests.
It could also be argued that the union in question constitutes a security guarantee for Tokyo and Seoul. Yoon’s call for unity can also be read in this way. For this reason, it is possible to argue that the relations built are shaped by the logic of mutual win-win. As a matter of fact, it is evident that the actors that are most harmful from this process are states such as North Korea and China.
As a result, the increase in threats in the Asia-Pacific, both quantitatively and qualitatively, has made the foreign policy of South Korea, an essential ally of the West in the region, more proactive than in the past. Therefore, it can be predicted that this attitude will continue as long as Seoul’s threat perceptions do not change.
[1] “Pyongyang Will Pay for Provocations, South Korean President Says”, NHK World-Japan, https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230316_14/, (Date of Accession: 11.04.2023).
[2] “North Korea Launches ICBM Before South Korea-Japan Summit”, Associated Press News, https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-missile-launch-us-military-drills-fbbe3be09a9bd812baa541ea9b84832e, (Date of Accession: 11.04.2023 ).
[3] “South Korea’s Yoon Says Cooperation With Japan Vital Amid Concerns on North Korea, Supply Chains”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-koreas-yoon-says-cooperation-with-japan -vital-amid-concerns-north-korea-2023-03-15/, (Date of Accession: 11.04.2023).
[4] “Japan and South Korea Agree to Mend Ties as Leaders Meet Following Years of Dispute” Cable News Network, ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/General/complete/complete_personal.aspx?node=Personal1, (Date of Accession: 11.04.2023).
