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South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. [Photo/Xinhua]
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South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's flattery paid off. Washington Declaration – Yoon described as an "unprecedented" commitment by the U.S. – was unveiled in the South Korea-U.S. summit meeting on Thursday.
Amid growing concerns about national security, Yoon is seeking 'protection' from the United States, but will the recently announced Washington Declaration be able to provide a viable solution?
Under the Declaration, a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine will be deployed to South Korea as part of Washington's efforts in enhancing the "regular visibility of strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula." A Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) is also established as a "concrete and substantive" move to "operate the new extended deterrence system."
Seoul wants reconciliation with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and thus the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. But boosting the U.S. nuclear umbrella, as affirmed in Washington Declaration, may only bring out counterproductive outcomes.
Pyongyang's nuclear ambition stems from its security concerns. Feeling insecure, the DPRK resorted to increased missile tests. The more intense Seoul and Washington collaborate in defense, the more anxious Pyongyang will become and thus more reluctant it will make concessions on its weapon tests. As long as the national security threat it faces does not appear, the DPRK will not give up its nuclear ambitions. In these circumstances, a positive response to Pyongyang's security concerns is the right way forward. This requires dialogue and the gradual restoration of mutual trust.
Nevertheless, Yoon, by inviting the U.S. military to Northeast Asia, is acting the opposite. The presence of a U.S. nuclear ballistic missile submarine in South Korea will be the first time since the 1980s. This, with no denial, will tremendously raise the anxiety level of the DPRK. While Pyongyang made it clear earlier that it is willing to keep negotiating with relevant parties for a peaceful solution, the NCG mechanism and sending Ohio-class nuclear submarines to the region will only destroy the foundation of mutual trust and ignite a new round of tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Security in Northeast Asia depends on a dialogue between the parties concerned. South Korea can only reap losses from this "unprecedented" commitment by the United States. While bringing U.S. nuclear power into the region will further exacerbate the security dilemma, thus creating new risks for South Korea-included regional countries, the Yoon government has traded the country's autonomy for Washington Declaration. In interactions with Washington, the South Korean government has no say in the decision-making process. This is perilous to the country's long-term interests.
The unequal alliance between the U.S. and South Korea means the Yoon government is sacrificing its country's interests for Washington's. While Yoon is desperately courting the U.S. for "protection," the Biden administration has never hesitated in stabbing its allies in the back. As Yoon was earnestly attempting to manifest his loyalty to the U.S. at the cost of provoking China on the Taiwan question, Washington has asked Seoul "not to fill any market gap in China" if chipmaker Micron Technology is banned from selling chips in the Chinese market, according to the Financial Times.
Yoon's toadyism toward the U.S. has already caused dissatisfaction among the South Korean public. Members of civic groups rallied against the South Korea-U.S. summit outside the presidential office in Seoul this week as Yoon just embarked on his Washington trip. But despite domestic opposition against his humiliating diplomacy, Yoon is happy to act as a U.S. puppet without realizing it.
As a President, Yoon drew "shouts, applause, and fist pumps" from Biden with his surprise rendition of Don McLean's American Pie at the state dinner on Wednesday night, according to media reports. While Yoon was straining every nerve to please the White House after nuclear deterrence talks, South Koreans are left to see their country losing diplomatic autonomy.
Yoon's optimism regarding the Washington Declaration as a panacea for the Korean Peninsula issue falls short in reality, prompting the need to search for a more effective solution.
