This year’s Security Consultative Meeting between Defense Minister Han Min-koo and his U.S. counterpart Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Monday took place at a significant time in the geopolitics of Northeast Asia, coming on the heels of the Korea-China summit on Saturday, Korea-China-Japan summit on Sunday and the first summit between President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday.

The trilateral summit and the Korea-Japan summit, long suspended due to outstanding historical differences between Korea and Japan and China and Japan, as expected, did not yield significant outcomes. All concerned parties seemed content with the fact that they were at least able to sit down at the same table.

In contrast, the 47th annual SCM yielded some important, concrete results. The two sides approved a set of operational plans to respond to North Korean missile threats, including nuclear, chemical and biological warheads. Called Concepts of R.O.K-U.S. Alliance Comprehensive Counter-missile operations, or more simply known as the 4D Operation Concept, the plan is designed to detect, disrupt, destroy and defend against such North Korean threats. With Pyongyang developing more advanced missiles, the 4D Operation Concept will act as a deterrence against North Korean provocations.

The issue of condition-based OPCON transfer was also sealed with the signing of the Conditions-based Operational Control Transition Plan. While the joint communique did not specify the conditions of the OPCON transfer, except to note that it would take place at a “proper time,” Carter was more forthcoming during the joint press conference.

Saying that the plan “does specifically spell out in steps what will create the conditions for successful transfer of OPCON,” he cited a few of the conditions — further development of command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as counter artillery capabilities of the Korean military.

The latest SCM demonstrated the solid alliance between Korea and the U.S., but it did not address some of the more controversial issues, such as THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missile batteries, as China strongly opposes their deployment in Korea.

Concerning Japan’s Self-Defense Forces entering the Korean Peninsula in the event of North Korean provocation, Carter sidestepped the issue of South Korean sovereignty over the entire Korean Peninsula by saying that any issues arising from North Korean provocations can be handled within the context of the Korea-U.S. and U.S.-Japan alliances.  

On the issue of South China Sea, Han and Carter referred to their respective countries’ positions on the freedom of navigation and on resolving any conflicts within the framework of international law. Carter did add, however, that the U.S. position is that “there not be any further dredging or militarization in the South China Sea,” and that Chinese President Xi Jinping, during his visit to Washington, indicated that China intended to stop militarization in the South China Sea.

Carter said the Korea-U.S. alliance is focused on the Korean Peninsula, but that there is also a “global scope.” In fact, the commitment to build a “comprehensive strategic alliance of bilateral, regional and global scope” is the No. 2 item on the joint communique.

Indeed, the situation in South China Sea may develop into a huge dilemma for Seoul if China continues with activities that Carter characterized as “militarization.” So far, Park has been able to do a precarious dance with two partners, but there may come a time when she is forced to take a stand.