When the Korean War broke out in June 1950, US forces in Japan significantly contributed as part of the UN armed forces. In the face of tensions between South Korea and North Korea, Washington has increased its military deployment in the Korean Peninsula to counter the CCP. Instead, the US has taken advantage of its relations with South Korea to advance US interests in Northeast Asia. First, if the conflict in the Korean Peninsula intensifies, the US’ presence there would allow it to gain more leverage from the six-party talks (China, Japan, North Korea, Russia, South Korea and the US). Third, the US is trying to exchange benefits with North Korea to curb China, with an aim to obtain a military advantage.

Source: Taipei Times May 23, 2023 03:40 UTC