US 'Allies' Are Just Customers—And Now They're Being Told to Pay More
📰 THE STORY: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is calling for 'self-reliant national defense' in response to a new US National Defense Strategy (NDS) that suggests South Korea take 'primary' responsibility for deterring North Korea, albeit with 'critical, but more limited' US support. Lee highlights South Korea's financial capacity (1.4x North Korea's GDP in defense spending) and its status as
the world's fifth-largest military power as reasons for robust self-reliance, linking it to sustainable economic growth. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The Korean War (1950-1953) ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty, leaving the peninsula technically still at war and cementing a permanent US military presence. Since 1954, the US has provided continuous military aid,
often at the expense of South Korean sovereignty. For instance, until 2020, South Korea's wartime operational control (OPCON) remained with the US military, a vestige of the conflict that belies any true 'self-reliance' rhetoric. Double Standard: When Western powers demand increased defense spending from their 'allies' like South Korea, it's framed as responsible burden-sharing. Yet, when nations
like Iran or China develop their own defense capabilities, they are immediately labeled existential threats, facing enhanced sanctions and military encirclement. Where South Korea's military buildup is encouraged to 'deter North Korea,' China's naval modernization is painted as 'aggressive regional expansion.' Follow the Money: This NDS, echoing former US President Donald Trump's 'America First'