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What price US protection? A question South Korea’s president will face in summit with Trump
The pressure is on not just payment for American forces based in the country, but also changes in their deployment in the event of a conflict with China.
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Washington wants Seoul to embrace “strategic flexibility”, the idea that US forces based in South Korea could engage in conflict scenarios.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung faces a daunting challenge as he prepares for his first in-person meeting with Donald Trump
At the upcoming summit in Washington, Mr Lee will undertake a geopolitical high-wire act, trying to stay the course while buffeted by cross-cutting winds from the US President as well as China. He has to be careful of local tempests as well, given the deep political divisions within South Korea.
