U.S.-South Korea alliance

According to local news reports, after being ignored for months Washington finally got through to Pyongyang to explain U.S. policy.

A statement from the former president is a stark reminder of his transactional approach to both Koreas.

South Korea’s foreign minister traveled to China while the country’s national security chief attended a meeting with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts in Washington.

While the two sides were careful to avoid open disagreement, there are clear areas of tensions, from approaches to China and North Korea to alliance issues involving Japan.

Washington needs to build up the alliance as a partnership involving mutually beneficial and equally important military, economic, social, and cultural aspects. 

After a joint two-day visit to Japan, the new officials headed to South Korea amid North Korea’s blunt criticism toward Washington. 

Kim Yo Jong issued a warning statement ahead of a U.S.-South Korea 2+2, in Pyongyang’s first direct comment to the Biden administration.

The Biden administration is moving to repair damage done, but new challenges still need to be faced.

Seoul and Washington finally agreed on how to split the bill for the U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, but have not revealed details. 

If the U.S. can seek cooperation without pushing South Korea directly into the U.S.-China crossfire, why not take that path? 

Between talks with North Korea and the COVID-19 pandemic, this will reportedly be the third year in a row where exercises are held only via computer simulation.