SKorean Navy Official Says Japan's Missile Defense May Destabilize Asia

Korean Information Service, A South Korean Navy official on Wednesday (May 9) urged Japan's close cooperation with the region as it builds up its missile defense system. 
 
A lack of such cooperation, Capt. Chung Sam-man said, “may be destabilizing.” 
 
“What are the common threats, common interests? We need to share (these) with each other,” he said at a missile defense seminar hosted by the Heritage Foundation. Chung, currently naval attache at the South Korean embassy, said his remarks reflect his personal views. 
 
“If we establish some cooperative, common system, we can go together,” he said, “but otherwise, without any transparency… I think it's kind of destabilizing.” 
 
Japan expedited its missile defense initiative in the wake of North Korea's multiple test launches in July that included a long-range version which, in theory, can strike as far as the U.S. west coast. Tokyo deployed its first set of PAC (Patriot Advanced Capability)-3 interceptors in March and plans to introduce more in the coming years. 
 
Chung called for attention to details in establishing the missile defense system in Asia, raising concerns about potential military competition. 
 
“The mere effort of one side to develop (missile) defense can stimulate competitive countermeasures as the other side takes steps to upset a potential advantage,” he said. 
 
Things may appear to be simple on the surface, he said, “but difficulties and problems and obstacles will arise when we look into the details of the plan with respect to positions other countries hold.” 
 
James Carafano, assistant director at Heritage, argued that U.S.-led missile defense brings stability at times of crisis. The effect seen at a nuclear war game conducted in August in Tokyo was “absolutely dramatic,” he said. 
 
He pointed out the dangers of states like North Korea going nuclear, comparing the situation to “boys with toys.” 
 
New nuclear states would not know what the limits are, he said. “People don't understand how the rules are played,” Carafano said. “It can be very, very dangerous.” 
 
Countries like the North would also overestimate the value of nuclear weapons, believing they are silver bullets, he said. 
 
Such heavy reliance on atomic weapons would actually make the North less safe, he said.