The Korea Times
As conflict in the Middle East draws more of Washington’s resources and attention, the United States has partially removed defensive military assets from South Korea, including the terminal high-altitude area defense (THAAD) missile defense system that constitutes a major part of Seoul’s deterrence posture. While the U.S. and South Korea are treaty allies with a cast-iron commitment, President Lee Jae Myung must bolster partnerships with other likeminded nations that treat open sea lanes and international law as sacred. Lee has been active in this area, strengthening relationships with various nations. In just the last four months, he has met with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan and President Emmanuel Macron of France. However, under the banner of “pragmatic diplomacy” foreign policy, Lee also met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in January, seeking a “new phase” of ties. In the current geopolitical climate where international law is being increasingly ignored, South Korea must not forget its core security interests. This means pursuing closer ties with the U.S. and J
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