South Korea’s True Intentions: Cut Diplomatic Ties With U.S. and Japan

Tempers continue to flare as South Korea continues its missile defense tests. As the issue comes to a boiling point, Japan and the United States have began to come together to discuss what this means for their diplomatic relations. As South Korea remains adamant about their missile defense tests, it makes one wonder what this means for the future relations of the country. 

Many have believed that the United States should cut all ties with South Korea, but what if South Korea makes that decision first? At their most recent meeting, the leaders of the three countries agreed on the common topic of North Korea security measures, but could there be trouble brewing between the countries?

A new president with extremely anti-Japanese views has emerged in South Korea. While the South Koreans ultimately elected Moon Jae-in, all of the three top candidates embraced anti-Japanese policies, so whoever was elected, there was not much difference between three candidates.

Why do anti-Japanese policies pose a problem for the U.S.? While the issue has always been about potentially hindering stability and growth in East Asia, now such policies also directly concern the national security for U.S.

The Obama administration took a soft-touch diplomatic approach with North Korea, that in hindsight, some may be compelled to call an avoidance of responsibility. As a result, for the past eight years, North Korea has continued developing its missile program, and now possesses the technology to reach the west coast of the U.S. with an ICBM. Regardless of whether confrontation with North Korea becomes necessary, friendly relations between South Korea and Japan are deteriorating to the point that it will have a direct and significant impact on U.S. national interest.

The behavior of South Korea also has a tremendous impact on peace and stability in East Asia. Even though South Korea has recently tried to shake free from U.S. control and ingratiate itself to China, when South Korea decided to deploy the THAAD system, China put an end to the two countries’ cordial relations. South Korea has put itself in a position where it must realign with the U.S. Relentless economic sanctions applied by China are one reason for that, but most importantly, threats from North Korea make it essential for South Korea to pursue policies that rely upon U.S. military strength.

One major sticking point in relations between South Korea and Japan is the so-called “comfort women” issue. Politicians from both countries have recently shown willingness to compromise on this longstanding dispute, and at the end of 2015, they reached a resolution called the Japan-South Korea Comfort Women Agreement. The U.S. engaged closely in the effort to reach this agreement and considered it an ironclad resolution. South Korea’s new president has a differing opinion, however. One of the anti-Japanese policies embraced by newly elected President Moon Jae-in is to reconsider and renegotiate the comfort women agreement. The historic agreement was the result of three years of tough negotiations between level-headed politicians on both sides with the U.S. acting as an intermediary. This campaign pledge from the new president, therefore, completely disregards this “final and irreversible resolution,” celebrated as a “promise” between the two countries, and serves as a betrayal to its ally, the U.S.

On the day before the election, the new hardliner president said in a campaign speech, “There is no doubt that making the Comfort Women Agreement with Japan was a mistake.” In his own book, he also wrote, “When I come into power, I will put an end to pro-Japanese groups.” South Koreans who elected Moon Jae-in as their new president, also elected to cut off diplomacy with Japan. Do they understand that this will subsequently damage diplomatic relations with the United States? Do they understand who it is that is trying to protect South Korea from North Korean aggression? Japan has repeatedly issued official apologies to South Korea, and has also provided it a great amount of economic aid. What more could they possibly intend to demand from Japan?

South Korea has taken a huge step toward isolating itself from the rest of Asia. The U.S. must now take a calm and cool-headed stance in dealing with South Korea.