"American presence is, you know, the major cause of balance of power and the stability in this region"

Kim Dae Jung’s statement encapsulates the perceived geopolitical importance of the United States in East Asia, particularly with regard to regional stability and the management of power dynamics. The notion of "American presence" refers to the diplomatic, economic, and especially military footprint of the US in Asia, including its alliances, forward-deployed forces, and mutual defense treaties with countries such as South Korea and Japan. This presence has historical roots dating back to the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, periods that set the stage for the US to assume a leadership and stabilizing role in the region.

Describing the American role as the “major cause of balance of power and the stability in this region,” Kim Dae Jung points to the overarching belief that, without the US, the security landscape would become much more unpredictable. The balance of power refers to a system in which no single state or coalition dominates, preventing aggression and conflicts through deterrence. In the Asia-Pacific, there are several regional powers with varied interests, China, Japan, Russia, and the two Koreas, whose interactions can easily tip toward rivalry or conflict. The US maintains alliances and forward positions, projecting enough power to deter potential aggressors and thus reassuring allies like South Korea of their security.

Kim’s words also highlight the United States’ function as a mediator and a check on the ambitions of more assertive regional actors. For countries like South Korea, American involvement helps counterbalance North Korea’s military threats and China’s growing influence. The presence of US troops, regular military exercises, and extended deterrence commitments offer a psychological and material security guarantee, discouraging escalation and emphasizing predictable rules-based order.

Additionally, economic stability ties into this equation, as the US presence underpins the open trade and sea lanes crucial for East Asian economies. Overall, Kim Dae Jung’s perspective reflects a pragmatic recognition of the US as a fundamental pillar securing peace and stability in an otherwise volatile neighborhood, even as it acknowledges the complex dependencies and tensions such a role entails.