Page 110 - Trilateral Korea Japan U.S. Cooperation

2) U.S. citizens who were held by North Korea were freed;

3) anti-American rhetoric and propaganda were silenced;

4) missile tests ceased;

5) North Korea was deterred from aggressive military
provocations;

6) the criminal cult of the North Korean government did not
prevail in major cyberattacks;

7) the Chinese government upheld UN sanctions for a span of
time, although they reverted back to breaking them.

Contrastingly, during the Biden administration North Korea
has test fired over 120 missiles, upped its propagandistic
rhetoric, and has given nothing but threats to South Korea,
Japan, and the United States.

“Peace through strength,” a Reagan Era mantra, deters
North Korean aggression and provocations. Indeed, the U.S.
commitment to defend South Korea is the biggest deterrent
against North Korean attacks. Thus, it would be highly
advisable for the South Korean government to be willing
to support the U.S. military presence at an acceptable level.
While there have been complaints emanating from South
Korean sources about such funding, it would clearly remain
in South Korea’s interest to do so. Inviting North Korean
aggression by losing American protection would invite danger.

Chapter Seven : Threats from North Korea: A Personal View 109