U.S.-South Korea alliance

By invoking North Korean infiltration as a justification for his political moves, Yoon revived one of Washington’s great fears: entrapment in a conflict triggered by an ally’s recklessness.

Negotiating with Trump will not be easy, but Seoul now possesses more leverage than before.

Devising a concrete plan to strengthen its self-defense capabilities and recalibrating its policy on North Korea would be top priorities for Seoul over the next two months.

The two sides condemned the North’s ICBM test and its apparent deployment of troops Russia.

China is the biggest factor behind the continued development of the U.S. alliance network – a trend that works independently of, and supersedes, any political dynamics in Washington.

Just after the South Korean defense minister met his counterpart in Washington, North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Depending on their foreign policy preferences, South Korea’s political groups have varied perceptions of what they would like to see from the next U.S. administration. 

The new mechanism is supposed to provide reassurance over the credibility of the U.S. nuclear umbrella. 

Given South Korea’s heavy reliance on the U.S. military presence for its own security, the reconstitution of USFJ may necessitate a reassessment of Seoul’s strategic posture and defense planning.

A signature campaign in support of South Korea developing its own nuclear weapons represents a profound shift in policy, driven by doubts about U.S. extended deterrence.

The drills could trigger a belligerent response from North Korea, which portrays them as invasion rehearsals. During last year’s exercises, the North conducted ballistic missile tests.