Seoul’s Enduring Bet on Washington Faces a Deterrence Stress Test
The source argues that South Korean public support for the United States remains strong despite tariffs, immigration enforcement controversies, and the redeployment of missile defense assets, driven by historical memory and North Korea threat perceptions. It warns that any major reduction in U.S. forward presence or extended deterrence credibility could accelerate South Korean hedging, including rising support for an indigenous nuclear capability.