In a statement before commencing his talks with Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Mike Pence declared that Washington will stand by Japan and other allies in the case of a threat from disgruntled North Korea. He also added that the US’s objective is to denuclearize North Korea.
Mike Pence is in Tokyo on his way to the Winter Olympics in South Korea where he hopes to meet with some North Korea officials. Before he embarked for his six-day official tour, he told reporters on Monday that he cannot rule out the possibility of meeting with some North Korean officials. Vice President (VP), Mike Pence is in Japan to hold talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and showcase the US-Japan alliance in the event of a North Korean attack.
While in Tokyo, before holding talks with the Prime Minister, Pence visited a Patriot PAC-3 missile battery. The battery is considered Japan’s last line of defense in case North Korea decides to strike. The VP watched the battery raised to firing position before inspecting members of the Self-Defense Forces with a handshake. During the ceremony, Pence was accompanied by Japans’ highest-ranking military officer, Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano and Itsunori Onodera, the Defense Minister.
Insights from the South Korea Visit
It is now evident that Mike Pence’s journey to South Korea on Thursday will coincide with Kim Yong Nam’s official visit to the Winter Olympic Games. Kim Yong Nam is North Korea’s ceremonial leader and the senior most official to visit the South since the 1950-1953 Korean War that ended with a truce.
Although the VP stated that he may meet with senior officials from North Korea, Donald Trump has cast his doubt on US negotiations with Pyongyang. Pence’s statement about the possibility of meeting with North Korea implies that there could be some negotiations between the two countries. A possibility Trump refutes is not going to happen. The White House also signals against analyzing too much into what the Vice President said in route to Japan.
Japan’s Stance against North Korea
Japan will update its missile defense system to match North Korea’s imminent nuclear threat. It plans to increase the range and accuracy of the Patriot system it showed the US’s VP. Japan will also acquire two US-made ground-based Aegis radar stations and interceptors. It also plans to add to its arsenal of air fired cruise missiles that can strike the North’s missile sites.
Despite the preparations, Pence is more likely to stress on the need for coordination between the US, Japan, and South Korea over the North Korea threat.
