Uncategorized

Download Full Article: Hudson Institute_Yoo Jin Bae_Improving US-ROK-Japan Trilateral Cooperation in the Era of U.S.-China Competition

By Yoo Jin Bae

Executive Summary

This paper analyzes why U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral cooperation is essential considering intensifying U.S.-China strategic competition and what can be done to improve the trilateral ties and cooperation.

Main Argument

As a bipartisan policy community within the United States seeks to curb China’s expansionist policy and increasing assertiveness, the U.S.-China rivalry is becoming a serious, long-term competition. Under these circumstances, uncertainties and risks are rising in the regional security environment and U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral cooperation to cope with these regional challenges has become even more important. However, the exacerbation in South Korea-Japan relations and the differences in dealing with China are hindering the deepening of trilateral cooperation. The following cooperative efforts are needed to manage common threats and interests, repair South Korea-Japan relations, and overcome the differences regarding China.

Policy Recommendations

• Pursuing diplomatic and security cooperation to deal with common security threats in and around the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan Strait, and the South China Sea. This may include efforts like (1) the expansion of U.S.-ROK, U.S.-Japan, and U.S.-ROK-Japan joint military exercises, (2) detailed contingency planning, and (3) release of joint statements to discourage violation of international norms, rules, and principles.

• Combining U.S.-South Korea and U.S.-Japan bilateral cooperation for developing high technology in fields like 5G networks, AI, biotechnology, and quantum technology. This should include not only joint development of technology, but also the creation of an institution to promote cooperation and endeavor to prevent attempts to steal technology.

• Comprehensive efforts to promote mutual understanding, build trust, and coordinate policy between Seoul and Tokyo. This may include resuming shuttle diplomacy, conducting seminars and events featuring the history of pre-1945 animosity as well as post-1965 cooperation, encouraging cultural and human exchanges, and institutionalizing a U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral mechanism to prevent escalation of conflicts and use of coercive diplomacy.

• Endeavors to reduce differences over China like having in-depth discussions regarding China and its strategy and tactics, and joint efforts to be prepared for China’s possible attempts to drive a wedge into the trilateral ties.

Table of Contents

I. Introduction

II. Why Trilateral Cooperation Matters in the Era of Intensifying U.S.-China    

    Competition

          1. The Rise of China and Its Growing Assertiveness

          2. Changes in the U.S. Policy Toward China and Intensifying U.S.

              China Rivalry

          3. Growing Need for U.S.-ROK-Japan Trilateral Cooperation under

              U.S. China Competition

III. Challenges of U.S.-ROK-Japan Trilateral Cooperation

          1. Deterioration of South Korea-Japan Relations

          2. Gaps in Perceptions and Stance Toward China

IV. Policy Recommendations: Ways to Improve the Trilateral Cooperation

          1. Pursuing and Expanding Trilateral Cooperation Based on

              Commonalities

          2. Reducing Differences and Dissonance

Bibliography

I. Introduction

Since President Biden’s inauguration in January 2021, the Biden administration has constantly highlighted the importance of strengthening relationships with U.S. allies and partners. In particular, the administration has demonstrated great enthusiasm for the trilateral cooperation among the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

The two U.S. allies, South Korea and Japan, also agreed with the United States on the necessity of trilateral cooperation. On April 2, national security advisors from the three countries gathered together at the United States Naval Academy and “reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to working together to protect and advance their shared security goals,” after discussing the United States’ review of North Korea policy and “issues of common concerns including Indo Pacific security.”¹ Then, on April 16, along with mentioning the significance of the Quad and support for “ASEAN’s unity and centrality” in the Indo Pacific, the leaders of the United States and Japan “concurred that trilateral cooperation with the Republic of Korea is essential to our shared security and prosperity.”² About a month later, on May 21, the leaders of the United States and South Korea emphasized “the fundamental importance of U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral cooperation for addressing the DPRK, protecting our shared security and prosperity, upholding common values, and bolstering the rules-based order.”³ On November 17, the three countries “reaffirmed that trilateral cooperation between the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan is essential to tackling the most pressing challenges of the 21st Century in the region and across the globe,” and they highlighted “the importance of cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, including through multilateral partnerships that advance our shared prosperity, security, and values” and “the centrality of ASEAN to the architecture of the Indo- Pacific and the critical role” it plays in protecting the rules-based international order.⁴

Notably, the three countries promised to broaden and expand the regional scope and fields of cooperation for U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral cooperation, which have over the past three decades focused mainly on tackling the North Korean nuclear threat. However, despite these continued declarations, trilateral cooperation remains under-developed. Notwithstanding South Korea and Japan’s agreement on the so-called “comfort women” issue in December 2015 and the conclusion of a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) in November 2016, trilateral cooperation has barely made any progress in recent years.

This paper will discuss why U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral cooperation matters and ways to improve it. First, it analyzes recent U.S.-China competition to explain the context for why strengthening trilateral cooperation has become so important. Then the paper delves into what hinders the strengthening of trilateral cooperation. Finally, the essay discusses measures the three countries should take to enhance trilateral cooperation.

Editor’s Note:  The complete article is posted in the KDVA Digital Library at:  https://kdva.vet/digital-library/.

¹ The White House. United States-Japan-Republic of Korea Trilateral National Security Advisors’ Press Statement. April 2, 2021, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/04/02/united-states-japan-republic-of-korea-trilateral-national-security-advisors-press-statement/ (accessed June 15, 2021)

² The White House. U.S.-Japan Joint Leaders’ Statement: “U.S.-JAPAN GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR A NEW ERA” April 16, 2021, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/04/16/u-s-japan-joint-leaders-statement-u-s-japan-global-partnership-for-a-new-era/ (accessed June 2, 2021)

³ The White House. U.S.-ROK Leaders’ Joint Statement. May 21, 2021, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/05/21/u-s-rok-leaders-joint-statement/ (accessed June 2, 2021)

The Korea Defense Veterans Association, a nonprofit organization based in northern Virginia, is looking for an experienced, reliable, and task-oriented part-time Executive Assistant. The Executive Assistant will work directly with senior executives and will be responsible for performing a number of administrative duties.  The ideal candidate is highly self-motivated, professional, and capable of managing their work load and prioritizing tasks.  This position is 100% remote with flexible four-hour workdays, Monday-Friday.  This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing organization with competitive compensation.

Main Duties and Responsibilities.

• Support KDVA executives with administrative support.
• Manage tasks and deadlines to ensure leaders know important tasks and meet deadlines; provide reminders and follow-up.
• Coordinate executive communications, including taking calls, responding to emails, drafting letters, and working with KDVA members, partners, supporters, and donors.
• Prepare internal and external organizational documents.
• Schedule meetings and appointments.
• Coordinate and manage travel itineraries.
• Coordinate and support KDVA events in the Washington, DC area that take place outside of the work place, such as social and professional networking events, fund-raising events, banquets, and professional conference events.
• Coordinate with the KDVA staff in South Korea to support their activities.
• Maintain an organized filing system of paper and electronic documents.
• Attend board meetings and other meetings, and prepare executive summaries and minutes.
• Coordinate with external vendors (lawyers, accountants, website and social media manager, etc.).
• Implement processes and policies for efficiency, quality control, and compliance.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Take on special projects.

Required Skills.

• Experience as an Executive Assistant reporting directly to senior leaders.
• Have a support mindset. Understand the work expectations of KDVA’s executives and be committed to making their work more effective.
• Resourcefulness and adaptability. Find creative solutions; find information and solutions with little direction; and adapt to changing priorities.
• High work standards. Have good attention to detail and be highly organized.
• Excellent communication. Have clear, concise, and professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Initiative and motivation. Be a self-starter; highly responsive with excellent follow-through and follow-up; and work independently.
• Planning and deadline driven. Plan strategically, prioritize, and organize tasks to achieve objectives.
• Team-minded. Be friendly, professional, and respectful in working with KDVA teammates.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, with an ability to become familiar with Member365 programs and software.
• Have your own reliable computer with web camera and antivirus software, high-speed wireless internet, and smart phone.

Preferred Skills and Experiences.

• Interest in the ROK-U.S. Alliance and the KDVA mission.
• Working knowledge of the ROK and U.S. military, foreign policy, corporate, and government or academic communities.
• Worked or lived in South Korea is desirable but not required.
• A bachelor’s degree is great but not required if you do amazing work.
• Accounting skills would be great.
• Korean speaker is a plus.
• Department of Defense or Military spouses are encouraged to apply.

Work Hours.

• Work is 100% remote in a four-hour workday, during core business hours, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday. KDVA prefers 9:30 am to 2:00 pm, but it is negotiable.
• There is some flexibility in work hours as long as deadlines are met.
• Be available to support occasional special events outside of the work place, such as social and professional networking events, fund-raising events, banquets, and professional conference events.

Location Requirement.

• Must reside in the Washington, DC metro area – there is no relocation expense.

Compensation Range.

• The total compensation is $35,000.
• Fifteen vacation days.
• KDVA observes all U.S. federal holidays.
• No other compensation or benefits.

Resumes accepted until 4:00 p.m. EST on January 9, 2020 at:  eaposition.kdva@gmail.com.

The employer does not discriminate against any candidate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, sex, national origin, or veteran status.

Voice Your Expertise & Opinions

New KDVA Quarterly Journal Beginning in January 2020

The digital journal will allow our members another volunteer opportunity to voice their expertise and opinions that add to discussions about the Alliance.  The journal will go to our members, our partner organizations, potential sponsors, Alliance experts in the ROK and U.S. governments, and U.S. and ROK think tanks.
 
Your articles in English about the ROK-U.S. Alliance are welcome until 29 November 2019.  Please send any questions or articles to kdva.journal@gmail.com.  If your article is selected for publication, we will contact you for further steps.
 
We would also like to hear what you would like to call the journal – just as a member suggested “Unsung Heroes” for our new monthly newsletter.
 
Thank you and “Together for the ROK-U.S. Alliance!”