South Korea's Role in US Containment of China

Andrew Korybko analyzes how South Korea remains central to US efforts to contain China, despite the Xi-Trump summit yielding little concrete progress. The US-ROK defense ministers' meeting in DC focused on a deal for the US to help South Korea build a nuclear-powered submarine, facilitating its integration into AUKUS+. China, which strongly objected to the original AUKUS pact with Australia, is even more threatened by South Korea's proximity. Japan has also signaled interest in a similar deal, potentially intensifying China's threat perception. The cooperation could evolve into nuclear weapons cooperation, especially after the expiry of New START under Trump 2.0. Over 75% of South Koreans support developing nukes, while over 60% of Japanese oppose. The US might use the scenario of ROK/Japan going nuclear as leverage against China. This could push China toward a de facto alliance with Russia, but risk spooking India into closer US ties, further destabilizing Eurasia.