Moon, Trump must work together
Pyongyang’s intercontinental ballistic missile test on July 4 and Beijing’s intransience on reigning in its troublesome ally reiterates the urgent need for the Washington-Seoul security partnership to address the menace of North Korea’s nuclear program. Despite differences between Washington and Seoul on resolving this dilemma, South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s recent visit with President Donald Trump in Washington was a good start toward developing the relationship needed to work with one another.
The two leaders have their differences and are a study in contrasts. The right-leaning, impassioned Trump sees the North’s progressing ability to weaponize ballistic missiles as the most pressing national security issue on his desk. He has advocated a ramping up of military pressure against Pyongyang and for China’s stepped up involvement with curtailing the regime.
Thus far, neither the show of U.S. military might nor Trump’s overtures to China have borne fruit toward changing Pyongyang’s behavior. China put in place a temporary coal embargo against Pyongyang to no effect and has also called for the U.S. and South Korea to freeze military exercises in return for the North declaring a moratorium on its nuclear and missile programs.
Left-leaning President Moon, the son of North Korean refugees, is a former special forces soldier and human rights lawyer who is known as a person of quiet principle. He supports a policy of both applying pressure on Pyongyang and bringing back the “Sunshine Policy,” an approach that seeks to engage the North.
In this spirit, Moon made good on a campaign promise by suspending the deployment in South Korea of the U.S. Army’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile intercept system. Mr. Trump views THAAD as necessary to protect against the threat of North Korean missile attacks.
China vociferously objects to THAAD, fearing that it can be used to target Chinese military activity despite U.S. assertions to the contrary. China’s status as South Korea’s largest trading partner and its growing geopolitical standing are two factors Moon has been unable to ignore regarding this issue.
Despite their differences, Moon and Trump presented a united front. President Moon stated, “The North Korean nuclear issue must be resolved without fail. North Korea should by no means underestimate the firm commitment of Korea and the U.S. in this regard.”
The initial meeting between Trump and Moon demonstrated a shared commitment to ridding Pyongyang of its nuclear weapons and ending its missile program. While it is unknown what, if any, rapport was developed between the two, their joint statements appear to indicate a willingness to work together and with resolve toward addressing the unfolding crisis.