Strengthening Korea-US-Japan Missile Defense a Misguided Response to the North Korean Nuclear Issue

On Jan. 22, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Reunification published a consolidated report to the Blue House* revealing a policy which would create a real-time information sharing channel between South Korean and United States military authorities regarding North Korean nuclear and missile issues by the end of this year. Specifically, the two countries’ information on their respective independent missile defense systems would be connected to the real-time sharing of the U.S. Link 16 network. This means transferring the South Korean missile defense system to the U.S. missile defense system. Additionally, since the U.S.-Japan military authorities already utilize this system, a Republic of Korea-U.S. information sharing system actually means a South Korea-U.S.-Japan joint system. This could be construed as strengthening the military cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan. This bar was already set in December of 2014 when the three countries signed an information sharing agreement regarding the North Korean missile and nuclear program.

Ministry of Defense authorities’ claims that this is just an intelligence sharing agreement and not a transfer of missile defense systems is very deceptive. Because missile defense systems naturally consist of the information-judgement-decision-strike stages, it is illogical to think that one of these stages can be removed or replaced. Rather, it is more accurate to see this transfer of missile defense systems and the South Korea-U.S.-Japan military cooperation as an attempt to placate negative public opinion. Moreover, if one considers the publicly revealed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system as the crux of strengthening the missile defense system after the fourth North Korean nuclear test, it seems as though the Ministry of Defense has already made up its mind about deploying THAAD and creating a South Korea-U.S.-Japan joint missile defense system.

As the North Korean nuclear issue is becoming more dangerous, proper military preparation is all the more necessary. However, strengthening the South Korea-U.S.-Japan missile defense system and deploying THAAD on the Korean Peninsula will not only drive a new Cold War, but also have a limited deterrent effect on North Korea’s provocations. This is only likely to raise domestic concerns regarding regional issues. This will especially push a possible diplomatic solution to the back burner, and raising a militaristic response will only hinder any major chances for international cooperation.

For now, instead of attempting to hone in on ways to denuclearize a nuclear North Korea, the relevant ministries and countries must first see the bigger picture and focus on crafting an effective response. Meaningless, hard line, and competitive deterrence will not work and only harm international cooperation. From this point of view, strengthening an intrusive missile defense system would be the wrong path to take.

*Editor’s Note: The Blue House is the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state.