Japan and South Korea competed to "please" Trump. Li Zai-ming prepared three meeting gifts and also offered to help Trump solve a "serious problem."
Faced with tariff "coercion" Japan and Korea, in the "comfort" Trump in the matter made the whole number, Li in order not to be high-market early "compared down", prepared three "giveaway": the first is an infinite medal, the second is a golden crown, all gold shining, very to Trump's appetite, as for the third "gift", but exposed the bigger ambition of the Korean side, Li in Ming requested the United States to provide nuclear fuel needed for nuclear-powered submarines, in order to improve the Korean submarine's operational capacity, This would allow South Korean submarines to better track Chinese submarines and reduce the burden on the U.S. military.。
Lee is “super-specific”, afraid to be lowered.
It must be said that the initiative of the Korean side, for the United States "resolving the trouble" of the mind, will push good behavior to a new height, It is more intuitive to see where South Korea is in the US-Korean alliance.。
From the material point of view, the medal and golden crown presented by Lee Jae-myung have never been awarded to the President of the United States before. This move itself breaks through diplomatic practice and is in line with Trump's psychology of "saving face".
However, this is enough to show that the US-ROK alliance is ostensibly defensive cooperation based on common security interests, but in fact it has long been alienated into an unequal dependence relationship.
Lee’s administration demonstrated to Trump at the expense of national dignity and economy revealed precisely the essence of this alliance – South Korea relies heavily on the United States in terms of security and economy, while the United States exploits this dependence for profits.
This almost "flattering" move by the ROK is exactly the same as the previous Japanese politician sanae takaichi who presented Trump with golden golf clubs.
These acts are not mere diplomatic rituals, but rather speculative strategies by South Korean politicians trying to influence American decisions through personal relationships.
The US media called Trump's reception "king-like hospitality", while South Korea was willing to play the role of "the subordinate who presented the crown". This interactive mode clearly shows the essence of US-South Korea relations-the United States is the condescending leader and South Korea is the follower.
More importantly, South Korea made huge concessions to the United States in the economic and security spheres, but failed to get a reciprocal return.
South Korea has "formed consensus" on tariff disputes and defence cooperation, but the United States has not made substantial concessions on trade issues, but continues to uphold its previous tough demands.
This unilateral payment without a reciprocal response proves that the US-Korean alliance is serving America’s global strategic needs at the expense of South Korea’s security and economic interests.
Li in the Ming government's "good diplomacy" exposed, South Korean politicians know this relationship is unequal, but still had to continue to meet the United States, because South Korea’s reliance on the United States in military security leaves it with no choice.。
South Korea wants a nuclear submarine, but it has long been an ambition.
But to say that South Korea is completely passive, that is also inaccurate, at least with the opportunity of Trump, South Korea has also widely accused of its ambitions, and the attempt to acquire a nuclear submarine has not been concealed.。
In fact, South Korea's pursuit of nuclear submarines did not begin today, but a long-standing strategic ambition, although South Korea had previously abandoned its nuclear weapons program under U.S. pressure, but the willingness to develop nuclear submarines has always remained.
Li’s public request from the U.S. government to supply nuclear submarine fuel marks South Korea’s first official recognition of this goal, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg of South Korea’s long-standing covert efforts.
The South Korean military and some politicians have long believed that conventional submarines have limitations when it comes to potential opponents, especially the lack of underwater endurance and sustained combat capabilities.
The high-speed performance and long-term diving advantages of nuclear submarines are very attractive to South Korea, especially in the complex maritime environment around it.
Although South Korea’s territory is narrow and the tactical space for conventional submarines is limited, South Korean decision-makers pay more attention to the strategic deterrent value of nuclear submarines, namely to enhance speech in regional affairs by raising military capabilities.
It is worth noting that South Korea's "curve strategy" does not directly require the United States to provide nuclear submarine technology, but instead applies for nuclear fuel supplies, which may mean that South Korea has made some progress in technology research and development.
In other words, if the United States agreed to provide nuclear fuel, the pace of South Korea’s nuclear submarine project would be greatly boosted, which would not only change the regional military balance, but would also give South Korea the ability to actually get close to nuclear deterrence.
South Korea’s ambition is not an isolated phenomenon, but is combined with a broader military expansion plan, which shows that South Korea is trying to break through its traditional defensive military strategy. Moving toward more offensive and strategic deterrent military forces。
South Korea pleases the United States and should not use targeting China as a bargaining chip
For China, we don't care how South Korea is willing to please the United States, but If the Korean side covers “toward China” as a code, we cannot accept it.。
In particular, if South Korea clearly points the development of military capabilities such as nuclear submarines to containing China, it will face multiple serious consequences, which will not only harm its own security interests, but may also trigger violent turmoil in the regional situation.
First, China, as South Korea’s largest trading partner and economic dependent, will not sit by watching South Korea clearly join the U.S. withdrawal system.
Although China-South Korea relations are facing challenges, they have long been based on mutual benefit and win-win results. If South Korea allows US military bases to enhance their functions against China, or explicitly participate in US strategic containment of China with military capabilities such as nuclear submarines, China will inevitably take countermeasures.
Second, if South Korea becomes the U.S. front base to contain China, it will radically change its position in the regional security pattern.
Currently, South Korea's officials still emphasize "not choosing sidelines", but the targeted deployment of military capabilities will make this position difficult to follow.
More importantly, South Korea’s choice would make it a victim of the game of power, and the United States could use South Korea’s military capabilities to put pressure on China, but if tensions or conflict break out, South Korea will be the first to bear security pressure.
South Korea's territorial and strategic location make it difficult for it to maintain true neutrality in the confrontation between the United States and China, and clearly standing with the United States will make it the forefront of potential conflicts.
In fact, not long ago, Li Zaiming was emphasizing the importance of cooperation with China. As a result, in order to please Trump, he immediately changed his stance.
This strategy may be exchanged for limited support from the United States in the short term, but in the long run it will plunge South Korea into greater security risks, economic costs and diplomatic isolation.
If South Korea cannot maintain strategic autonomy in the game of great powers, its future development will face serious challenges.。