Historically, the “Great Game” was played both diplomatically and militarily as Great Britain maneuvered against Czarist Russia to thwart Moscow’s presence (and promote Britain’s domination) in South Asia.
Today we have the classic struggle in Northeast Asia—the “quadrilateral interface” with China, Russia, Japan, North and South Korea, and the United States seeking security objectives that on their professed faces appear incompatible. To wit:
Pyongyang—perhaps the most vicious 21st century dictatorship—seeks absolute security against neighbors it professes to believe want “regime change.” To secure such, it relentlessly pursues nuclear weapons status along with ballistic missile delivery capability, currently regionally threatening, but rapidly approaching intercontinental range.
Seoul would probably most prefer to be left alone to enjoy ever greater prosperity and international prestige. While it would be politically satisfying to terminate the Korean War officially (status still an “armistice”) and unite the peninsula under a democratic government, no one would welcome resumed war, regardless of the outcome.
But Seoul is also suffering instability as its first female president, Park Geun-hye, was impeached, removed from office, and now indicted on bribery/extortion/corruption charges. A special presidential election May 9 could result in more Pyongyang-friendly leadership.
