Security dilemma further chokes peninsula
The annual US- South Korea joint military exercises, code- named Key Resolve and Foal Eagle, are now taking place around the Korean Peninsula. The long- term drill, which covers a wide range of missions and operations, is expected to be the largest ever. It will fuel the flames of the already tense and sensitive situation on the peninsula.
The current war games have intensified the vicious cycle of confrontations in the region. On Monday morning, North Korea launched four ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan, a move apparently in protest of the drill between Washington and Seoul.
Over the past years, constant military drills between the two countries stimulated Pyongyang to spare no effort in developing its nuclear weapons and long- range missiles, which, in turn, spurred the US and South Korea to further upgrade their bilateral exercises to improve their joint war- fighting capability.
It is highly likely that this will eventually lead to a war, which no one wants to see. USSouth Korea military drills are, without doubt, complicating the situation on the peninsula and creating more hostility in the region, which would jeopardize the interests of all parties involved.
Therefore, direct talks are needed to reduce the enmity among relevant parties in order to prevent possible military clashes that might sweep the entire peninsula or even a larger area.
The highly intensive military exercises between the US and South Korea reveal the strong determination of Trump’s administration in establishing dominance over security issues on the Korean Peninsula via strong US military power and the Washington- Seoul alliance. Since the Cold War, the region has seen the most intensive military confrontation in the world. Given the geopolitical location of the Korean Peninsula and the catastrophic aftermaths of the US’ intervention in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, Ukraine and etc., countries in Northeast Asia, which are seeking stability, have to be vigilant of the US’ possible reckless actions in the region.
However, after the US deployed all kinds of advanced weapons in South Korea as well as the two nations’ annual drills, there is a heightened probability for the peninsula to witness a war which will lead to widespread chaos. Military exercises will not bring Washington and Seoul the outcome they are looking for, only more turmoil.
According to reports, a simulation of missile interception by the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense ( THAAD) system will be staged during the drill. It indicates the bilateral exercises are not purely focused on the peninsula, but also aim to squeeze China and Russia in the Asia- Pacific geopolitical pattern.
Washington has long been attempting to complete its global anti- missile defense system, consolidating its absolute dominant position in terms of international strategy, and creating conditions to launch more US military initiatives worldwide. Installing THAAD on the South Korean soil is a vital part of it.
However, it is also a matter of strategic balance in the region. Massive adjustments in strategic ties among Beijing, Washington and Moscow are bound to take place. Arms races are likely to emerge among them. Confrontation on the peninsula would gradually turn into a fierce competition among major powers. Peace will not be guaranteed with the deployment of THAAD. Instead, security in Eurasia may go through a dramatic regression.
Annual drills between the US and South Korea highlight the US pursuit of enhancing its alliances as well as its ultimate goal of maintaining its global hegemony through its alliance system. This is a continuity of the Cold War mentality.
The US’ methods of resolving European security issues after the Cold War resulted in deep divisions between Russia and Europe. While Asia- Pacific nations are proactively building a security pattern in which all parties are closely connected, Washington is trying to repeat its experience in Europe in the Asia- Pacific region.
Creating profound division in security is the US’ usual tactic to deal with security issues on the Korean Peninsula. The large- scale military drills between Washington and Seoul aim to generate more divisions and confrontations.
Policymakers who initiated the US- South Korea war games are still stuck in the Cold War mind- set. Neither the drills nor the installation of THAAD will fundamentally fix the problems on the peninsula. On the contrary, they will only worsen the situation. Dialogues, negotiations and the establishment of multilateral mechanisms, which can be accepted by all, are the only effective measures to resolve the conundrum on the Korean Peninsula.