Enhanced security cooperation between Seoul and Tokyo would better protect South Korean, Japanese, and U.S. national interests in Asia. Both South Korea and Japan have extensive, highly capable militaries. Washington has strong relationships with both countries, but the third leg of the security triad—between Seoul and Tokyo—has been constrained due to bitter historic animosities and territorial disputes.
In the aftermath of North Korea’s nuclear test, 2016 has already begun with a new crisis on the Korean peninsula.
Still in the nascent stage of planning, a Northeast Asia Development Bank would serve as a multilateral development bank (MDB) to attract investment in Northeast Asia, specifically intending to incentivize the DPRK to denuclearize through access to external capital for development.
The issues that will be shaping events on the Korean Peninsula in 2015.
Reassurance and reaffirmation, while difficult, should be a major focus for President Obama in South Korea.
The role of President Obama in this situation has been argued over by many analysts, but it is clear that as a main ally to both countries, Obama should continue to provide opportunities where all three leaders can discuss mutually beneficial issue.
On December 26, Japan’s Prime Minister Abe Shinzo visited the Yasukuni Shrine. The visit is unlikely to do much harm to Abe domestically, but foreign policy in the region will be a casualty.
By Troy Stangarone Last week we looked at the results of a recent BBC survey of international perceptions of South Korea’s influence. The same survey…