Promoting Japan and South Korea's Role in East Asian Security

摘要

The extended deployment of our nation's military to Iraq and Afghanistan has stripped away forces once dedicated to the Asia-Pacific Theater, a volatile region of significant political and economic importance. This has created a void in regional security that countries like China and India may try to fill, and others such as Japan and South Korea may be forced to fill. It is possible that a reduction in U.S. forces, coupled with a lack of political focus in the region will lead to less desirable outcomes which may run counter to U.S. goals and objectives for the region. The rise of China, economically, militarily, and politically has caused some concern particularly amongst other countries in the region. North Korea continues to defy international convention and threaten our allies. In order to meet these challenges, the U.S. must expect Japan and South Korea to take on an increasing role for security in the region. Although an historical animosity between both countries will make a cooperative relationship difficult, it is in the interests of both Japan and South Korea to ensure a secure and stable environment that allows for peaceful co-existence and continued development.