North Korea, one of the world’s major nuclear powers[1], conducted a record number of nuclear drills and Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) tests during the year 2022.[2] The actions of the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the region appear to be not deterring Pyongyang but rather provoking it. In this context, it can be argued that the US and the West are pursuing numerous alliances and collaborations in the Asia-Pacific region. Indeed, the fault lines of global politics are shifting towards the Asia-Pacific.
On the other hand, the dynamics in the region are shaped by poles and alliances. For instance, it can be argued that countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia are important allies of the United States and NATO in the region. However, among all these countries, South Korea and Japan stand out in the context of North Korea. This is because these nations are the ones most directly affected by Pyongyang’s nuclear threat. This situation compels these actors to rely on “American Deterrence.” Seoul and Tokyo, too, view American deterrence as their hope.[3]
As of now, joint exercises against Pyongyang are being conducted in the Asia-Pacific region through collaboration between Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo.[4] For instance, on July 18, 2023, a US nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) visited to South Korea. This development has garnered attention as it marks the first visit of a US nuclear submarine to South Korea since the 1980s. Following this, the White House confirmed the visit during a joint declaration made by Indian-Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at a summit held in Washington in April. During his statement to journalists in Seoul, where he participated in the first Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) discussion with South Korean officials, Campbell said, “While we are talking, an American nuclear submarine is arriving in Busan today. This is the first visit of an American nuclear submarine to South Korea in decades.”[5]
It can be argued that the United States provides military support and assurance of assistance to Japan and South Korea in potential crises. Just a few days after the US nuclear-armed submarine’s arrival in a South Korean port, another nuclear-powered submarine belonging to Washington has reached South Korea.[6] The South Korean navy announced that the USS Annapolis entered a naval base on Jeju Island in the south of South Korea to load military equipment. In the statement, it was mentioned, “With the arrival of USS Annapolis, the two countries’ navies aim to strengthen their joint defense posture and conduct exchange activities in commemoration of the alliance’s 70th anniversary.”[7]
On the other hand, the Pyongyang administration tries to pursue an independent perspective in security, economy and politics within the framework of the Juche policy, which can be called the official state ideology of the country. The Juche policy is founded on the idea of self-reliance, aiming for North Korea’s self-sufficiency. Hence, it can be argued that North Korea will not abandon its nuclear program. According to this ideology, there are certain principles that governments should follow, which include political independence, economic self-reliance, and the capability to defend the nation in the realm of national defense.[8] North Korea’s nearly continuous pursuit of its nuclear program since its establishment can be seen as a important pillar of the country’s grand strategy, aligned with these principles.[9]
As a result, North Korea is not expected to give up its nuclear capability. Therefore, South Korea’s threat perception and the West’s influence in the region will not diminish. Unless an effective denuclearization program is implemented in the region, it is evident that the tension between North Korea and South Korea will not come to an end.
[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: 25.07.2023).
[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: 25.07.2023).
[3] “Biden and South Korea’s Yoon Announce Agreement to Deter North Korea, Including Deploying Nuclear-Armed Submarine”, Cable News Network World, https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/26/politics/biden-yoon-south-korea-state-visit/index.html, (Date of Accession: 25.07.2023).
[4] “Japan, S Korea, Us Conduct Drill Amid Tension With N Korea”, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/17/north-korea-condemns-us-military-drill-with-japan-and-south-korea, (Date of Accession: 25.07.2023).
[5] “Us Nuclear Missile Submarine Visits S.Korea As Allies Talk War Planning”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-skorean-officials-huddle-new-nuclear-war-planning-talks-2023-07-18/, (Date of Accession: 25.07.2023).
[6] “Second US Submarine Arrives in South Korea Amid North Korea Tensions”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/second-us-submarine-arrives-south-korea-amid-north-korea-tensions-2023-07-24/, (Date of Accession: 25.07.2023).
[7] “Second Us Nuclear Submarine Arrives in South Korea Amid Tensions With North”, The Hill, https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4115764-second-us-nuclear-submarine-arrives-in-south-korea-amid-tensions-with-north/, (Date of Accession: 25.07.2023).
[8] “Juche, The State Ideology That Makes North Koreans Revere Kim Jong Un, Explained”, Vox, https://www.vox.com/world/2018/6/18/17441296/north-korea-propaganda-ideology-juche, (Date of Accession: 03.03.2023).
[9] Kahraman Süvari, “Nükleer Silahların Yayılması Örneği Olarak Kuzey Kore”, Çağdaş Üngör, der., Asya Pasifik Çalışmalarında Yeni Ufuklar, Küre Yayınları, İstanbul 2020, s. 16.
