The Dark Shadow on US-Korea Relations

The Park Geun-hye administration of Korea has put on its spurs in regard to its relationship with China. In concordance to China’s opposition of the U.S. leadership’s newly-introduced missile defense system proposal, the administration stood by its cautious attitude. In the first part of next month, Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to appeal for a “North and South Korea Honeymoon” in South Korea before visiting North Korea.

As a backdrop to this, former U.S. military comfort women from Korea have recently begun a class action lawsuit against the South Korean government. And in a series of events sure to deepen distrust, the U.S. has already threatened to reduce or even withdraw troops from Korea.

“The nation made a forced prostitution system of U.S. military comfort women, which they took full control of.”* The Korean former comfort women noted this when their case was filed.

Although the lawsuit is primarily to get state reparations, it is quite possible that as the trial progresses, it will reveal sordid truths about the Korean War and damage the reputation of American soldiers. President Park has criticized this as having the potential to open Pandora’s box, just like the issue of former U.S. military comfort women in Japan.

On July 3 and 4, Chinese President Xi will be making his first visit to Korea as a state guest. This is a big chance for the Park administration to catch a headwind after the recent sinking of the ship Sewol, but the U.S. has fired a warning shot toward anything regarding a reversal of U.S.-Japan-Korea cooperation.

When Vice President Biden visited Korea last December, he said that it has “never been a good bet to bet against America” when asked to review foreign policy. Obama also said in an interview in May that the basis of Korea’s security and prosperity is the United States, as if to warn China against interfering in the U.S.-Korean alliance.

However, Ms. Park has continued to approach China as if lovesick. This is casting a dark shadow on U.S.-Korea relations. The question at hand is the symbolism of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system, which is designed to protect South Korea from North Korean missiles.

According to a report by Korean newspaper Joongang Daily, United States Forces Korea Commander Curtis Scaparrotti has said, “We must consider ways that we can better protect South Korea” with regard to the United States’ request to include the THAAD missiles in Korea’s missile defense systems.* However, South Korean Minister of Defense Kim Kwan-jin flatly denied this on June 18, claiming, “While we are discussing cooperation with the U.S., we have made it clear we have no intentions of implementing those missiles.”*

Although they are ally nations, why could they be obstinately refusing such cooperation? It’s not because the missiles are expensive. The key to the answer is China.

“We believe that the deployment of antimissile systems in this region will not help maintain stability and strategic balance in this region.” At a press conference last month, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang clearly outlined China’s opposition of the introduction of missile defense systems into Korea.

In short, Korea’s cautious attitude when faced with the introduction of the THAAD missiles is tempered by China’s will. President Xi said in May that “strengthening an assumed third country’s military alliance won’t do anything for the region’s stability.”* He is certainly aiming to break down the Japan-U.S.-Korea alliance, and his target is Korea.

Regarding President Xi’s visit to China, on the surface America is keeping a cool composure, and it “believe[s] this is an important milestone to promote cooperation in regard to the ongoing North Korea issue,”* according to Mark Lippert, the next U.S. ambassador to Korea.

However, Tadae Takubo, professor emeritus of Kyourindai College, says, “While they are not publicly opposed, China and Korea growing close together places strain on Korea’s relationship with the U.S.”*

He continues: “From America’s perspective, Korea getting closer to China is betrayal. Inwardly, the U.S. will want to withdraw its troops from South Korea if possible. If Korea begins flirting with China, the U.S. will begin questioning why it is protecting South Korea.”*

In support of Mr. Tadae’s hypotheses, the U.S. has recently been making doubtful remarks regarding its commitment to South Korea’s security.

Mr. Scaparrotti said in March that if an emergency occurs in the Korean Peninsula, there could potentially be a problem bringing troops in to intervene quckly, due to economic problems. In the U.S. Senate confirmation hearing on June 17, Mr. Lippert confirmed that he shares the same opinion as Mr. Scaparrotti.

South Korea has turned its back on U.S. intentions to improve South Korea-Japan relations and conducted an illegal live-fire drill at Takashima Island in Shimane Prefecture, despite Japan’s call for a cancellation on June 20.

Furthermore, the comfort women lawsuit could lead to even more tension and estrangement in U.S.-South Korea relations.

“Friendly to China; Against Japan; Estranged from America.” These are the three diplomatic principles that South Korea seems to be in the process of adopting, and America’s warnings are not reaching Ms. Park’s ears.

*Editor’s Note: The original quotation, accurately translated, could not be verified.