South Korea’s defense minister has indicated that the country can strengthen its military cooperation with rival Japan as the two US allies work to advance local security against threats such as North Korea.
Suh Wook, who last week held talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on their debut trip abroad since taking office, said Seoul considers Japan one of its key security partners. and wants to continue its cooperation with the neighbor in partnership with the USA
Suh Wook in Seoul on March 19th.
Photographer: Jean Chung / Bloomberg
“The protection of the Korean Peninsula is centered around the alliance between Korea and the US, but we believe that the Korea-Japan security cooperation is also a valuable asset, so we must maintain it,” Suh said in a Bloomberg Television interview, a day after concluding talks with U.S. delegates.
The visits to Tokyo and Seoul by Blinken and Austin apparently helped to thaw cold relations between the neighbors, who host most of the U.S. troops in the region. Tires plunged during President Donald Trump’s tenure, as tensions due to historical differences touched on a trade dispute that at one point threatened global semiconductor supply lines and nearly led South Korea to a joint agreement to share intelligence had to give up.
The defense minister also said Seoul would continue to build its alliance with the new Biden government so that it could play a greater security role on the international scene.
President Moon Jae-in’s government has embarked on one of the country’s largest military build-up in years to add an aircraft carrier and a nuclear submarine. The moves will enable it to project more power abroad and come after the Trump administration urged Seoul to increase its presence in international security arrangements, such as protecting waterways in the Middle East from which South Korea’s largest received part of its oil.
The Biden government has also asked for help from allies to formulate policies against what Blinken Chinese calls ‘aggression and coercion’, which puts South Korea in a difficult position. Beijing is its largest trading partner and a key player in persuading North Korea to end its nuclear arsenal.
Suh said that there had been progress in the long-term transfer of troops during the war, known as Operational Control Authority, or OPCON, from the US to South Korea, and emphasizes South Korea’s New Southern policy, aimed at increasing ties with Southeast Asia and India.
Here are some highlights from the interview:
About Japan cooperation:
‘There is a question of history-related issues, but we bird that Korea-Japan relations are necessary in terms of defense cooperation. We will continue to hold military talks and continue to cooperate. ”
About plans for aircraft carrier:
“This is to prepare for potential threats in the future – a matter of reach for the Korean Peninsula – and to ensure flexibility for issues such as humanitarian aid, which is why we believe it is necessary.”
With OPCON transfer:
‘There is really not much difference in bringing the current combined forces command to a future version of the combined forces command, other than to switch the position of commander-in-chief and deputy commander-in-chief. In that respect, our position on readiness does not change much beyond the citizenship of the Commander – in – Chief, and therefore we believe that you do not have to worry about the issue of our readiness to stand up. ”
About regional strategy:
‘We have a principle that our new southern policy can be just like regional co-operation in addressing different issues. We believe we can work with other countries that also follow the New Southern policy in terms of different sectors through cooperation. ”
About China:
“We have also set out the dialogue with our Chinese military counterparts, in particular on the establishment of a hotline to continue intercommunication regarding the flight to the Korean air defense identification zone – how we discuss and act on the matter. ”
About world policy:
“We will continue to develop the alliance into a complementary and future-oriented global alliance as we broaden the horizon of collaboration,” he said in written comments to accompany the interview.
– With the help of Shinhye Kang
(Updates with comments on China.)