{"id":2204431,"date":"2024-03-26T19:09:18","date_gmt":"2024-03-26T10:09:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2204431"},"modified":"2024-03-27T19:02:46","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T10:02:46","slug":"how-plans-to-upgrade-us-japan-defense-pact-complicate-seouls-strategic-calculus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/03\/how-plans-to-upgrade-us-japan-defense-pact-complicate-seouls-strategic-calculus\/","title":{"rendered":"How plans to upgrade US-Japan defense pact complicate Seoul\u2019s strategic calculus"},"content":{"rendered":"
U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are set to hold a <\/span>summit<\/span><\/a> in Washington on April 10, with <\/span>reports<\/span><\/a> indicating that the two sides will announce plans to upgrade their security alliance by revamping the U.S. military command and expanding exercises in an effort to contain China.<\/span><\/p>\n The move is a positive sign for South Korea insofar as it demonstrates America\u2019s continued commitment to East Asia, but it also poses direct risks, potentially diminishing the ROK relative to Japan in Washington\u2019s purview.<\/span><\/p>\n While Seoul could respond by doubling down on trilateral cooperation to avoid being sidelined, this would draw South Korea further into the U.S. competition with China and Russia, highlighting the development\u2019s potential to reshape regional power dynamics.<\/span><\/p>\n SOUTH KOREA\u2019S BALANCING ACT<\/b><\/p>\n Historically, the U.S.-ROK alliance has been a cornerstone of South Korea\u2019s security, while Seoul\u2019s relations with Tokyo have been marred by colonial-era grievances and ongoing territorial disputes.<\/span><\/p>\n In recent years, South Korea has made strides in <\/span>improving relations<\/span><\/a> with Japan, including by bolstering trailateral military cooperation involving the U.S.<\/span><\/p>\n But now Washington and Tokyo\u2019s reported plans to enhance their defense treaty risks elevating Japan within America\u2019s strategic calculus, diminishing South Korea\u2019s perceived value as a result.<\/span><\/p>\n The implications of this could be even more severe if there is a major change in U.S. leadership: The reelection of Donald Trump, for instance, could result in the leader known for his <\/span>unilateral approach<\/span><\/a> to diplomacy and defense sidelining South Korea in <\/span>nuclear arms control<\/span><\/a> negotiations with North Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n The Yoon administration has not publicly commented on the upcoming U.S. election and a potential Trump return, but it will likely harbor concerns over the deepening U.S.-Japan ties. To counteract perceptions of reduced importance, South Korea will likely further increase engagement with the U.S. and participation in <\/span>trilateral military exercises<\/span><\/a> with the U.S. and Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n However, this strategy comes with financial and political risks.<\/span><\/p>\n ROK media <\/span>reported<\/span><\/a> in 2020 that approximately $11 million (13.4 billion won) from South Korea\u2019s contribution to shared defense costs with the U.S. went toward equipment supporting U.S. Forces Japan. This expenditure contradicted the <\/span>Special Measures Agreement<\/span><\/a> that mandates such funds solely benefit U.S. Forces Korea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The misallocation sparked debate about the transparency and accountability of defense cost-sharing arrangements between the U.S. and South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n Further misuse of defense funds for purposes outside the agreed parameters, particularly if Trump returns to office and demands Seoul <\/span>increase its financial contribution<\/span><\/a> to stationing U.S. troops, could severely impact South Korea\u2019s willingness to participate in trilateral initiatives, and in turn, undermine its national defense strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n