Well-conceived tactics needed to tackle repeated provocations
South Korea and the United States resumed joint drills with a U.S. aircraft carrier on Friday in response to North Korea's repeated military provocations. The North flew 12 fighter jets and bombers on Thursday, prompting the South to deploy 30 fighters around the heavily fortified border area. Hours earlier, the North fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea.
The North's military maneuvers came in defiance of the redeployment of the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group near the peninsula and the convening of the U.N. Security Council to discuss the North Korea issue. Military tensions have been escalating on the Korean Peninsula amid intensifying military postures by South Korea and the U.S., inciting North Korea to take countermeasures.
North Korea's foreign ministry lambasted the U.S. for repositioning the nuclear-armed U.S. aircraft carrier, stoking anxiety it would seriously undermine security on the peninsula. It also criticized the U.S. for convening the UNSC meeting over the missile launches, describing them as a "just countermeasure" against the joint drills between the U.S. and South Korea.
The North cried foul over the U.S. move as an excuse for its military provocations in an apparent bid to prod the Joe Biden administration to offer compromises. Yet such an approach by the North is unlikely to win the support of the Biden government. North Korea should squarely face reality and stop its tactics of repeating military provocations.
The Yoon Suk-yeol government held a meeting of the National Security Council, warning that the North would be met with stronger countermeasures. Yoon had a phone conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday, agreeing on the need to strengthen bilateral ties and trilateral cooperation including the U.S.
It is natural for the allies to take proactive steps against the North's provocations. Yet, on the other hand, it is also necessary to seek ways to promote peace on the peninsula instead of the current hectic buildup of military confrontation. South Korea also needs to adopt a cautious approach in dealing with the Japan issue despite the need to improve bilateral relations.
Only focusing on the military issue would possibly weaken Seoul's diplomatic leverage in handling pending issues with Japan, such as its forced labor of Korean workers during World War II. The Yoon administration should refrain from taking hasty measures only to make progress in relations with Japan. A rigid military posture could possibly trigger accidental military clashes.
Growing confrontation will also impose further security burdens for South Korea. Despite the need to maintain a proper defense posture against North Korea's provocations, the allies should adopt wiser and more comprehensive approaches while respecting their different national interests. This also prompts the need for the Yoon administration to adopt more well-conceived strategies.
As expected, the UNSC meeting ended without tangible results due to opposition from China and Russia. This is disappointing as it will only heighten tensions on the peninsula. This also proves the two nations' influence on Pyongyang, requiring the Yoon government to step up diplomatic efforts toward them.
South Korea and the United States resumed joint drills with a U.S. aircraft carrier on Friday in response to North Korea's repeated military provocations. The North flew 12 fighter jets and bombers on Thursday, prompting the South to deploy 30 fighters around the heavily fortified border area. Hours earlier, the North fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea.
The North's military maneuvers came in defiance of the redeployment of the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group near the peninsula and the convening of the U.N. Security Council to discuss the North Korea issue. Military tensions have been escalating on the Korean Peninsula amid intensifying military postures by South Korea and the U.S., inciting North Korea to take countermeasures.
North Korea's foreign ministry lambasted the U.S. for repositioning the nuclear-armed U.S. aircraft carrier, stoking anxiety it would seriously undermine security on the peninsula. It also criticized the U.S. for convening the UNSC meeting over the missile launches, describing them as a "just countermeasure" against the joint drills between the U.S. and South Korea.
The North cried foul over the U.S. move as an excuse for its military provocations in an apparent bid to prod the Joe Biden administration to offer compromises. Yet such an approach by the North is unlikely to win the support of the Biden government. North Korea should squarely face reality and stop its tactics of repeating military provocations.
The Yoon Suk-yeol government held a meeting of the National Security Council, warning that the North would be met with stronger countermeasures. Yoon had a phone conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday, agreeing on the need to strengthen bilateral ties and trilateral cooperation including the U.S.
It is natural for the allies to take proactive steps against the North's provocations. Yet, on the other hand, it is also necessary to seek ways to promote peace on the peninsula instead of the current hectic buildup of military confrontation. South Korea also needs to adopt a cautious approach in dealing with the Japan issue despite the need to improve bilateral relations.
Only focusing on the military issue would possibly weaken Seoul's diplomatic leverage in handling pending issues with Japan, such as its forced labor of Korean workers during World War II. The Yoon administration should refrain from taking hasty measures only to make progress in relations with Japan. A rigid military posture could possibly trigger accidental military clashes.
Growing confrontation will also impose further security burdens for South Korea. Despite the need to maintain a proper defense posture against North Korea's provocations, the allies should adopt wiser and more comprehensive approaches while respecting their different national interests. This also prompts the need for the Yoon administration to adopt more well-conceived strategies.
As expected, the UNSC meeting ended without tangible results due to opposition from China and Russia. This is disappointing as it will only heighten tensions on the peninsula. This also proves the two nations' influence on Pyongyang, requiring the Yoon government to step up diplomatic efforts toward them.
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