Choi Jong-geon: "Japan's Declaration of Retaliatory Capability, Blue House Must Issue a Statement"

Experts Agree on "Possibility of Preemptive Strike"
Professor Lee Young-chae: "Japan's Preemptive Capability Granted Due to US Financial and Security Strains"
Assemblyman Tae Young-ho: "An Unforeseen Variable in Yoon Seok-yeol Government's Efforts to Improve Bilateral Relations"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Former First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-geon analyzed that Japan's declaration of possessing 'counterattack capability' in its three major security documents implies the possibility of a de facto preemptive strike. He also raised his voice that the Presidential Office should issue a statement, as there is a possibility of a preemptive strike on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea. This is expected to act as a major variable in improving bilateral relations.

Former Vice Minister Choi appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 19th and said, "A counterattack is a strike after being attacked, but the important thing is the capability to preemptively prevent this counterattack," adding, "To put it in more comfortable terms, it means there is a possibility of a preemptive strike."

The Japanese government decided on the 16th at an extraordinary cabinet meeting to revise the three major security documents centered on possessing counterattack capability. This is evaluated as breaking the concept of 'exclusive defense (exercising defense only when attacked)' based on the postwar pacifist constitution and opening the way to attack enemy bases.

Former Vice Minister Choi said, "If Japan arbitrarily judges that an attack is imminent or has started, it means they will carry out a preemptive strike," adding, "The important part here is the 'arbitrary judgment,' and Japan will not disclose the basis of that judgment to the outside."

He strongly urged the Presidential Office to clarify its position on this matter. He said, "If we leave open the possibility that Japan could preemptively attack the Korean Peninsula, which can be considered our territory, based on Japan's arbitrary security judgment without prior consultation or consent from our government, the so-called Republic of Korea government, this is not a matter for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to announce the government's position on," adding, "A senior official from the Presidential Office, whether the National Security Office chief or a high-ranking official, should express the Republic of Korea's discomfort as a representative."

"Effectively Possessing Preemptive Strike Capability Prohibited by the Constitution"

Professor Lee Young-chae of Keisen Women's University in Japan also appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the same day and said, "Japan has Article 9 of the Constitution, so the postwar security policy has been exclusive defense specializing in defense, and the role of military power has been handled by the U.S. military," adding, "However, the surrounding security environment has changed, and they argue that exclusive defense alone cannot protect the territory. (With this decision) we should understand that Japan has effectively acquired preemptive strike capability prohibited by the Japanese Constitution."

He analyzed that the counterattack clause along with the 2015 'Security Legislation Revision' nullified Article 9 of the Constitution, which stipulates exclusive defense. Professor Lee said, "During the Abe administration, the security legislation was passed amid strong opposition from the Japanese public. This was interpreted as guaranteeing 'collective self-defense rights (simultaneous participation in war as an ally),' which the Japanese Constitution prohibits," adding, "the last remaining part of the (peace) constitution is the 'ban on enemy preemptive attacks,' but now that has been included, so effectively Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution has been completely nullified."

Professor Lee's analysis is that the U.S. situation, which requires 'containing China,' has made Japan a 'normal country capable of war.' He said, "Granting Japan preemptive strike capability reflects the current U.S. situation, which is financially and strategically strained," adding, "(They are) giving Japan even the role of strike that the U.S. military had."

He continued, "The U.S. and Europe have implemented a China containment strategy through NATO, and in East Asia, Japan's participation in this is one background," adding, "Due to China's military threat, there could be a crisis in the Taiwan Strait, and the Korean Peninsula also faces potential crises from North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile threats. Japan equipping itself with military power to enter this is a strategic choice."

Ruling Party Foreign Affairs Committee Whip Also Says "Unexpected Variable in Yoon Administration's Efforts to Improve Bilateral Relations"

The burden on the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, which has been promoting the improvement of Korea-Japan relations, has also increased. Tae Young-ho, a member of the ruling People Power Party and whip of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, said at the 'Korea-Japan Future Vision Dialogue' seminar held in Tokyo on the 16th, "The decision to revise the three security documents could act as an unexpected variable in the Yoon administration's efforts to improve bilateral relations over the past few months," adding, "Japan's counterattack against North Korea, conducted within the scope of self-defense rights, could ultimately be interpreted as the use of force against the Korean Peninsula, which is constitutionally the territory of the Republic of Korea."

He emphasized, "In response, close consultations between the two countries and prior consent from the Korean government are absolutely necessary," adding, "Through the dispatch of a special envoy or delegation from Prime Minister Kishida, Korea should actively show a responsible stance in explaining Japan's position."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.