With increasing North Korean nuclear and missile threats, and Chinese nuclear force modernisation, the prospects of indigenous nuclear weapons acquisition by Japan and South Korea cannot be ruled out.
The Washington Declaration reflects yet another effort by the US and South Korea to present a united front against North Korean nuclear and missile sabre rattling.
As Yoon Suk-yeol takes charge amid global disorder and deep domestic divide, his legacy will be defined by how well he succeeds in effectively walking the talk of positioning Seoul front and centre in shaping a rules-based order in Indo-Pacific.
In the arena of international relations nation-states have been regarded as the primary actors. However, the constituent units of nation-states have also become active in forging relations with the political units which are located outside the national borders through ‘para-diplomacy’. Since the 1990s the states of Indian union have been playing a significant role in India’s foreign affairs. The Narendra Modi government in New Delhi has also established a ‘States Division’ in the Ministry of External Affairs.
The Bio-surveillance project of United States in South Korea in facing a serious criticism as it is believed to be a threat to the safety and survival of the local population of South Korea. While both the United States as well as South Korea deny the allegations, and they fail to provide complete information on the issue in the name of so-called ‘national security issue’. The article brings out the contradiction between traditional and non-traditional security approach by putting United States Bio-surveillance Project in South Korea as a case in point.
A rational decision maker in the White House does not have all options on the table and cannot start a war without South Korea’s consent. Diplomacy is the only option and this is as obvious as obvious can be.
India needs to engage more pointedly with South Korea, Japan, the United States and even bilaterally with DPRK to convey its concerns regarding the latter’s strategic cooperation with Pakistan.
ROK is employing an effective combination of gifting equipment combined with joint ventures with local industry, which has the dual effect of increasing exports and forging partnerships with domestic industries in a region where it has hitherto had a very minimal defence relationship.
The Washington Declaration and US–South Korea Relations
The Washington Declaration reflects yet another effort by the US and South Korea to present a united front against North Korean nuclear and missile sabre rattling.