VP Pence jets in to Seoul amid tension

ABOARD AIR FORCE TWO: US Vice-President Mike Pence arrived in Seoul yesterday, flying into a geopolitical maelstrom amid a possible North Korean nuclear test and harsh US warnings about a military response.

Mr Pence’s first visit to South Korea — part of an Asia swing that also includes stops in Japan, Indonesia and Australia — was conceived months ago, but could hardly come at a time of higher tension.

In the past week, geo-spatial imaging showed North Korea possibly preparing a nuclear test, to coincide with the 105th anniversary of the birth of the state’s founder, Kim Il-sung. US President Donald Trump has warned that North Korea will be dealt with and officials have confirmed that military action is being considered, although has not been approved.

That issue will be top of the agenda when Mr Pence begins talks with South Korean interim Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn today, and in Tokyo during talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Both Japan and South Korea are firmly in the firing line and will want to caution against any US military action that could prompt a broader conflagration.

Away from immediate security matters, Mr Pence will try to reassure allies concerned about Mr Trump’s commitment to decades old security guarantees and protectionist rhetoric.

US officials acknowledge Mr Trump’s message of “America first” has at times been read by allies as meaning “everyone else last”. Mr Pence’s message will be that America’s security and economic commitments are enduring and “ironclad”, according to a senior White House foreign policy advisor.

In Seoul, Mr Pence will try to steer clear of South Korea’s tumultuous domestic politics ahead of elections next month. He is not expected to sit down with opposition leaders who could take the reins next month. But he will no doubt address worries in Washington that any new government may slow-walk the deployment of Thaad — a system designed to shoot down missiles from North Korea or elsewhere. The US has almost 30,000 troops in South Korea and is keen to see the project fully deployed.

The issue has been complicated by China’s furious opposition to the prospect of having a high-tech radar system on its doorstep, fearing it could partially neutralise its nuclear deterrent. Beijing has responded though diplomatic pressure and economic coercion, that has soured relations with Seoul.

But Mr Pence, whose public message at times seems at odds with Mr Trump’s, will have plenty of work to do to reassure South Korea that the US is a reliable partner. Mr Trump has repeatedly complained that the US shoulders too much of the burden for other countries defence and has suffered under bilateral and regional trade agreements.

An agreement on who pays for US troops in South Korea is due to expire next year, and South Korea could be asked to pay more. Mr Trump has also called for a review of all bilateral trade agreements.