Page 55 - Trilateral Korea Japan U.S. Cooperation

An Excellent Distraction

Admittedly, Pyongyang’s behavior is sometimes troublesome
for Beijing, but a well-armed North Korea that threatens
it neighbors (South Korea and Japan in particular, but the
United States as well) is an excellent distraction. It keeps
South Korea and the United States and their militaries
focused on North Korea and the Korean Peninsula. This
requires Americans and South Koreans to devote considerable
military resources and attention to prepare for trouble with
North Korea.

U.S. forces in the Asia-Pacific region are already stretched
thin. And with global contingencies and responsibilities,
the American military can only push a limited amount of
additional military power into the Western Pacific.

Meanwhile, over the last thirty years, the PRC has built up
a military that can potentially achieve its stated objective
of seizing Taiwan and dominating the Asia-Pacific. China
already has de facto control of the South China Sea and can
give the U.S. military a bloody nose if it carefully chooses its
time and place to lash out.

From South Korea’s perspective, Chinese control of the South
China Sea poses a serious threat of PRC interdicting the sea
lanes through which the majority of South Korean trade and
energy supplies flow. This gives China immense potential
leverage over South Korea as Seoul is well aware. This is
clearly reflected in the South Korea Foreign Minister Cho
Tae-Yul’s recent pledge, with U.S. Secretary of State Tony

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