Why it's time for South Korea to take more responsibility for its defense



Opinion Why it’s time for South Korea to take more responsibility for its defense An increase in spending on the part of Seoul could allay fears of an alliance decoupling Robert E. McCoy January 20, 2019 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON ROK MND Let’s begin with what is almost a certainty: North Korea will not give up all its nuclear weapons and long-range missiles, nor will it agree to any comprehensive inspection regimen. While Pyongyang may yet agree to a freeze, everything else flows from the overwhelmingly convincing evidence that Kim Jong Un will not surrender the “treasured sword” that guarantees his security. Let’s begin with what is almost a certainty: North Korea will not give up all its nuclear weapons and long-range missiles, nor will it agree to any comprehensive inspection regimen. While Pyongyang may yet agree to a freeze, everything else flows from the overwhelmingly convincing evidence that Kim Jong Un will not surrender the “treasured sword” that guarantees his security. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Opinion

Why it’s time for South Korea to take more responsibility for its defense

An increase in spending on the part of Seoul could allay fears of an alliance decoupling

Robert E. McCoy January 20, 2019

Why it’s time for South Korea to take more responsibility for its defense

ROK MND

Let’s begin with what is almost a certainty: North Korea will not give up all its nuclear weapons and long-range missiles, nor will it agree to any comprehensive inspection regimen.

While Pyongyang may yet agree to a freeze, everything else flows from the overwhelmingly convincing evidence that Kim Jong Un will not surrender the “treasured sword” that guarantees his security.

Become a member for less
than $5.75 per week.

Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting

Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.

Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.

Why it’s time for South Korea to take more responsibility for its defense

Become a member for less than $5.75 per week.

Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most –

as selected by <img width="226" height="50" class="logo" src="https://www.nknews.org/wp-content/themes/nknews/images/header-logo.png" alt="NK News Logo">

One more step!

Trending

Recent Stories

About the Author

Robert E. McCoy

Become a member for less
than $5.75 per week.

Start your day with
the North Korea stories that matter most –

as selected by