The world's diplomatic relations with North Korea are difficult at best, non-existent at worst: the progress of their weapons of mass destruction programs is an extraordinary and disturbing development . Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay But the most important regional dynamic on this topic is the interaction between South Korea, Japan and China. China's natural default position for several years has been to point the finger at North Korea and the United States for the peninsula's nuclear weapons problem, and to adapt its own delicate approach only slowly and incrementally in response. to North Korea's explosive and erratic outrages. To be sure, China's reasons are numerous, including fear of instability or conflict nearby, a passionate desire to ensure there will never be a unified Korea allied with the United States, a measured caution in transforming the its nuclear-armed neighbor North Korea into an obvious enemy of China and the fear of an influx of refugees into northeast China should the nation become a failed state. Significantly, over the past year and a half, Beijing has missed numerous opportunities to improve its relations with Seoul and further isolate Pyongyang, for example with its knee-jerk reaction to South Korea's positive consideration of deploying an American-supplied anti-ballistic missile system. (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD) and disrespect towards subsequent South Korean presidents. The THAAD dispute between China and South Korea appears to have been resolved in recent weeks, but the resolution included statements by South Korea that it will not host additional missile-defense systems. The result was that South Korean public opinion turned decisively against China. However, China pays close attention to the security policies of Japan and South Korea, not wanting to see these US allies strengthen their military capabilities or their security alliances with the US itself. The ultimate goal for the United States is clear: the stated goal (when the president does not allude to the total destruction of North Korea) is a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. From North Korea's perspective, however, this goal faces two obstacles that Americans, who do not, We tend to look at things from North Korea's perspective, do not see. Such a desire is inherently unequal and cannot be trusted in the United States. The prospects are not pleasant, and North Korea is unlikely to give up its pursuit of a nuclear arsenal now. Yet national leaders have repeatedly suggested that the United States will not allow North Korea to acquire a usable nuclear arsenal. Despite all the noise, this is the first US administration to have actually threatened a pre-emptive strike against North Korea, which if nothing else is an incentive for the North Koreans to pre-empt, as they could not assume that their deterrent force would survive to a first American attack. . If the Trump administration continues with this line of thinking, then war is likely. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay On the other hand, reversing course is not contrary to the Trump Administration. It's hard to say. The alternative would be simultaneous deterrence and reassurance of allies South Korea and Japan, countries that will be more exposed to..