Recently, tensions in the Korean Peninsula have continued to escalate, and both the DPRK and the ROK have shown a firm and unyielding stance in the stalemate. The tough remarks of the South Korean side are like throwing a shocking explosive bag into the raging fire, which further aggravates the originally tense atmosphere.
All this stems from the jaw-dropping statement made by South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-hyun during a recent inspection of the air base. At that time, he pointed out with a solemn face that in the face of the extreme war methods that North Korea may take, the South Korean Air Force will become the "guardian saint" of the national defense system, and once the war breaks out, they will carry out precision strikes on the enemy leadership through a well-planned "decapitation operation" in an instant, so as to take the lead in sounding the clarion call to end the opponent's regime. This series of radical rhetoric not only reveals South Korea's determination and strength in the face of crisis, but also makes the sky over the peninsula even more intense with the shadow of war.
Although relations between the two Koreas have been tense and the two sides have been arguing, Shin's remarks have been extremely aggressive. Uttering words such as "destroy the leadership", "eliminate **" and "end the regime" is obviously too impulsive for a public figure. Naturally, such a statement caused strong anger in North Korea.
KCNA said that the reason why Shin Won-hyun dared to be so arrogant was related to the deployment of three aircraft carriers by the US military in the Asia-Pacific region. The deployment of the U.S. military seems to have emboldened Shen to make the most radical remarks such as "the end of the regime" and "the destruction of enemy leaders." Recently, two US aircraft carriers conducted joint exercises with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, which increased tensions on the peninsula.
Relations between the two Koreas remain belligerent and hostile, and South Korea's aggressiveness may appear to North Korea as a catalyst for a blatant declaration of war and direct conflict. North Korea has expressed concern about South Korea's recent military operations, accusing it of "war madness" and saying that South Korea's clamor and various war drills could completely destroy the fragile fate of the "puppet Korea."
Shin's remarks elicited a response from North Korea, and it was not surprising that it was done in a needle-to-wheat manner. However, in this response, the DPRK side specifically mentioned the three aircraft carriers deployed by the US military in the Asia-Pacific region, namely the USS Reagan, the USS Carl Vinson, and the USS Roosevelt. Although each of these three aircraft carriers has its own mission, once the regional situation changes, the US military may concentrate its forces and press the DPRK with the entire fleet.
At present, the United States is focusing on two main directions in the Asia-Pacific region: one is the China direction, including the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea; The second is the direction of the Korean Peninsula. Although there is a certain tension in China's neighborhood, there is no sign of direct conflict for the time being. However, the situation on the Korean Peninsula is different, and the risk of conflict is too high to ignore. North Korea's provocations against South Korea could also trigger larger tensions related to the U.S. military.
Not long ago, the DPRK announced the abolition of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland and other institutions dealing with the ROK, and regarded the ROK as an "enemy country" in its entirety. In response, South Korea has strengthened its military deterrence in the region by exerting pressure on many fronts, especially in cooperation with the United States and Japan. The tension has sparked a series of missile tests by North Korea, which has already been conducted four times since the beginning of the year.
North Korea specifically emphasized that during a test launch of a cruise missile in early February, the missile was capable of carrying an "ultra-large warhead." Analysts believe that North Korea may be intent on demonstrating the missile's nuclear capability through such a move. Whether with nuclear warheads or conventional warheads, tensions on the peninsula have clearly escalated again.
Against this background, the United States has deployed three aircraft carriers in the Asia-Pacific region, which are highly targeted. According to the US side, the USS Reagan is currently stationed near the Korean Peninsula, while the USS Carl Vinson and USS Roosevelt recently conducted maritime exercises with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. Once there is a change in the situation on the peninsula, the United States can quickly assemble a huge fleet to respond.
As a result, Shin's tough stance on North Korea and the solid support provided by the three U.S. aircraft carriers have heightened tensions throughout the region.
In fact, although Shin Won-hyun is a hardliner against North Korea in South Korea, he has rarely made radical remarks in the past, such as "destroying the leadership" and "eliminating **" and "ending the regime". The arrival of the US aircraft carrier may have given the South Korean defense minister some confidence, but even with three aircraft carriers, South Korea may still be difficult to preserve.
North Korea's military power to the outside world is so worrying that even the United States itself is panicking about dealing with North Korea. One of the main reasons why the United States has not taken action against the DPRK is that it lacks absolute certainty and fears that it may lead to irreversible consequences. The United States, through the military alliance between the United States, Japan, and South Korea, is also looking for some backing for itself.
What is particularly noteworthy is that under the current pattern of international relations, once there is a major change in the regional situation, it may be difficult for the United States to recklessly act with the tacit approval of neighboring countries. History has a precedent for a long time - 70 years ago, the US military encountered the unforgettable painful lesson of the so-called "joint **" in the war on the Korean Peninsula, and finally had to put aside its arrogant posture and return to the negotiating table to act in accordance with international rules. Today, too, the United States cannot expect to profit easily in a similar situation.
There is no doubt that South Korea's dependence on the United States alone is not enough if it is to truly solve the North Korean problem. South Korea, as one of the parties to the complex predicament facing the Korean Peninsula at present, should be the clearest of the complex dilemmas facing the Korean Peninsula. Relying solely on empty threats and one-sided military pressure will not help resolve the problem, but will only exacerbate tensions between the two Koreas, exacerbating already fragile relations.
If South Korea is serious about achieving peace on the peninsula and ensuring that it can be effectively guaranteed, then it is imperative to adjust its existing strategy and abandon ineffective and harmful confrontational methods in favor of a set of constructive action plans that can promote the win-win situation of all parties in the country. Such a transformation is the key to lasting peace and stability on the peninsula.