Page 47 - Trilateral Korea Japan U.S. Cooperation

• Psychological Separation: The most difficult objective is
to create internal division. Though high-level political
psychological warfare and cognitive warfare strategies seek
to undermine internal credibility and cohesion, care must
be taken because there is a chance that counterattacks on
legitimacy will occur, particularly since China and North
Korea have advanced attack techniques.

Key Enabler

In Northeast Asia, US-South Korea-Japan cooperation will
be the key enabler. The ultimate goal of trilateral cooperation
is to establish an integrated and dynamic deterrence
strategy. Given the uncertain and unpredictable nature of
the future, it is imperative that the three countries enhance
their adaptability and set a consistent direction. Trilateral
cooperation can be divided into several elements:

• Enhancing Self-Reliance: The three countries should
enhance their power respectively, based on applying
advanced military technologies to achieve strategic
superiority. Since acquiring South Korea’s “absolute
weapon,” actual nuclear deterrence is a clear but risky
option. But South Korea’s conventional three-axis system is
important. These kinds of developments are cornerstones of
trilateral cooperation.

• Strengthening Ties with the U.S.: Enhancing the “double
sword” and talking about tactical nuclear redeployment
and strengthening nuclear sharing can increase military

46 Section I : North Korea-China Relations: How and Why Does Beijing Protect and Empower Pyongyang?