{"id":2199814,"date":"2023-01-02T10:30:12","date_gmt":"2023-01-02T10:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nknews.org\/koreapro\/?p=2199814"},"modified":"2023-04-05T16:10:27","modified_gmt":"2023-04-05T07:10:27","slug":"south-korea-must-make-maritime-security-a-pillar-of-its-indo-pacific-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/01\/south-korea-must-make-maritime-security-a-pillar-of-its-indo-pacific-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea must make maritime security a pillar of its Indo-Pacific strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"
The increased significance of the Indo-Pacific region to the <\/span>world economy<\/span><\/a> has resulted in growing recognition of the importance of the region\u2019s maritime security environment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, expanding U.S.-China tensions have resulted in rising instability on this front in recent years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In response, countries in and outside the region have begun to place significant emphasis on maritime security and will likely continue to do so for the foreseeable future.<\/span><\/p>\n Yet South Korea has often overlooked the importance of maritime security due to its <\/span>focus on ground forces<\/span><\/a> as a security concept in response to the North Korean threat.<\/span><\/p>\n This will need to change if Seoul hopes to work with the U.S., Europe and regional partners to ensure maritime security in the region. South Korea recently announced its <\/span>Indo-Pacific strategy<\/span><\/a> that moves to strengthen connections with the U.S., and in light of this, it needs to refine and elaborate upon strategies to secure and bolster freedom and stability in Indo-Pacific waters.<\/span><\/p>\n INSTABILITY IN THE INDO-PACIFIC<\/b><\/p>\n A major factor contributing to growing regional instability has undoubtedly been the <\/span>deepening rivalry<\/span><\/a> between Washington and Beijing, as the two major powers vie for maritime supremacy. China, in particular, is pursuing an aggressive maritime policy and increasing efforts to <\/span>bolster its naval capacity<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n China\u2019s rise as an economic superpower depended a great deal on the country\u2019s maritime prowess. Its burgeoning naval capabilities have enabled it to freely navigate <\/span>maritime routes<\/span><\/a> crucial to international trade, which it has become heavily dependent on for economic growth over the years.<\/span><\/p>\n As offensive realist scholar Professor John Mearsheimer <\/span>points out<\/span><\/a>, maximizing power to the point of hegemony is the ultimate aim of states, meaning it is safe to interpret China’s naval buildup as typical behavior of a great power that seeks hegemony. So in response, the U.S. has been <\/span>shifting<\/span><\/a> much of its naval power from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indo-Pacific.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As the region features contested waters, including the South China Sea and the <\/span>Taiwan Strait<\/span><\/a>, the stand-off between Washington and Beijing could result in armed conflict. Indeed, <\/span>tension<\/span><\/a> is visibly escalating toward a level where an accidental military clash could occur.<\/span><\/p>\n Such regional dynamics inevitably place South Korea in an awkward position. As the U.S. nudges its allies to <\/span>play a more significant role<\/span><\/a> in curbing China\u2019s maritime expansion, Seoul must review whether or not to consent to Washington\u2019s request. Further, Seoul also has to determine the form and scope of its involvement if it decides to comply.<\/span><\/p>\n Stirring further instability in the Indo-Pacific has been increasing threats from existing and potential regional threats.<\/span><\/p>\n For one, North Korea is focusing on strengthening <\/span>asymmetric capabilities<\/span><\/a> to overcome its economic troubles and inferior military capabilities relative to neighboring countries.<\/span><\/p>\n Among its asymmetric forces, Pyongyang has been ramping up <\/span>submarine capabilities<\/span><\/a>, which can be highly effective. Securing the ability to mount a <\/span>submarine-launched ballistic missile<\/span><\/a> with a nuclear warhead would threaten the regional balance of power.<\/span><\/p>\n The threat to regional stability will intensify if the North attains improved tactical nuclear capabilities as the possibility and versatility of using nuclear weapons increase.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition to the North Korea threat, major powers in the Indo-Pacific region are <\/span>scaling up<\/span><\/a> their naval capacities to conduct long-distance operations more effectively. The region has become rife with competition and <\/span>frequent friction<\/span><\/a> between countries over disputed maritime territories, further aggravating the instability of the Indo-Pacific\u2019s maritime security environment.<\/span><\/p>\n Transnational threats are also on the rise across the region. <\/span>Terrorism, piracy<\/span><\/a>, disasters and accidents at sea have also seen an upward trend.<\/span><\/p>\n