Geographical Location & Distance
North Korea and Guam are located in the same region, but are separated by great distance. North Korea is bordered by a number of countries, including China, Russia and South Korea, while the island of Guam belongs to the United States and is located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 2,000 miles (3,218km) away from North Korea. The distance between the two is huge and practically impossible for a physical journey.
According to Daniel B. Schwarzbach, professor of geography and regional studies at the University of Hawaii’s Manoa, Guam is the most westerly point in the United States. Additionally, the island’s strategic location has made it a significant asset in terms of military defence, making it an essential target for North Korean leaders. This is why the presence of US forces on the island is so important.
Military Presence
In April 2017, North Korea conducted a test of a Scud ballistic missile, which flew over 300 miles (482km) off the Japanese coast before landing in the Sea of Japan. The test drew international attention, with US president Donald Trump warning of serious consequences if the missile threats persisted. The US response was swift, and within days, 2000 additional US marines were deployed to Guam in an effort to boost the military presence on the island.
The expansion to 2000 US marines is in addition to the thousands of combat troops and airmen who were already stationed on Guam, making it the largest US military outpost in the Pacific. This increased military presence is part of an effort to strengthen the US-South Korea alliance and to deter North Korea from any farther aggressive actions in the region.
Impact for Citizens
The citizens of Guam, especially those near Andersen Air Force Base and the Navy base in Apra Harbor, are very aware of their proximity to North Korea. Speaking to locals in the area, it is clear there is concern about the situation in the region, and for the safety of the island. As a result, many Guam citizens have been stockpiling food, water and other essential items in case of a potential attack.
Furthermore, the US government has been providing additional resources and aid in order to provide additional security measures. For example, a new $1 billion THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missile defense system has been constructed on the island, which should provide more adequate protection against North Korean threats.
International Relations
The increased military presence on Guam highlights the fact that relations between North Korea and the US are now at an all-time low. The current US administration has reportedly stated that it is committed to boosting its defense capabilities in the region, and has warned that North Korea’s destabilizing actions will not be tolerated. However, despite these warnings, North Korea continues to test missiles, and in August 2017, launched an intercontinental ballistic missile that could reportedly reach the US mainland.
Many experts have suggested that these actions are deliberate posturing by North Korea, in an effort to be treated as a serious adversary by the US. Whether or not this is true, it is clear that the current relationship between North Korea and the US is strained, and that tensions in the region could potentially escalate if a North Korean missile were ever to strike Guam or any other US military asset in the area.
Economic Impact
The US military presence on Guam has long contributed to Guam’s economy, with US servicemen and women spending significant sums of money in the area. Moreover, the US has implemented a myriad of incentives and projects aimed at boosting the local economy, including tax exemptions and the establishment of various military installations.
However, the increased military presence on Guam has had a major psychological impact as well. Many local business owners are concerned that the current tensions in the region could adversely affect tourism, as well as other economic activities. For example, there have been reports of cancelled hotel stays and other reservations due to people’s concern over the potential conflict.
Cultural Perspective
Despite the tensions in the region, there have been some surprising efforts to bring North Korea and Guam closer. Recently, a delegation from North Korea visited Guam as part of a cultural exchange program, and there have been meetings held between missionaries from both countries in an effort to foster better understanding between the two peoples.
These meetings have gone a long way towards improving cultural understanding between North Koreans and Guamanians. Furthermore, the US government has taken steps to ensure that the natives of Guam are taken into consideration when it comes to building peaceful relations with North Korea.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear that the distance between North Korea and Guam, while significant, has still not been enough to stop the tensions between the two countries, which continue to escalate. While both countries have taken steps to improve international relations and cultural understanding, it is still uncertain how the current situation will play out.
Geopolitics & the UN
Since tensions began to increase between North Korea and the US, the UN has been at the forefront of attempting to find a diplomatic solution to the situation. The UN Security Council, for example, has imposed a number of sanctions on North Korea, in an effort to bring the country back to the negotiation table.
However, while the sanctions have had a significant economic impact on North Korea, there is still much work to be done in order to bring about a diplomatic solution. Many experts have suggested that intensified dialogue and increased engagement between the two countries are needed in order for any long-term solution to be achieved.
Regional Powers & Influence
China and Russia have also played an important role in attempting to find solutions to the North Korean crisis. China, in particular, is North Korea’s closest ally, and is often cited as having the most influence over Pyongyang. As such, the Chinese government has attempted to mediate between the two countries, urging North Korea to retreat from its current course of action.
The Russian government, meanwhile, has attempted to work with China to achieve regional peace. A number of meetings between the two countries have been held, in an effort to find a diplomatic solution. Moreover, the Russian government has strongly denounced North Korea’s recent missile tests, while also urging all parties involved to exercise restraint.
Economic Sanctions
Economic sanctions have long been seen as one of the key strategic tools for dealing with the North Korean crisis. In August 2017, the UN Security Council unanimously approved the most significant economic sanctions to date, which were aimed at significantly slowing the development of Pyongyang’s ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons.
The sanctions, which included restrictions on oil imports, have had a significant impact on North Korea’s economy, leading many experts to suggest that the country is beginning to feel the pinch of global isolation. The impact of the sanctions is also beginning to be felt by the local population, as basic goods and services become harder to come by.
International Support
Moreover, there have been a number of international organizations that have come out in support of finding a diplomatic solution to the North Korean crisis. The International Crisis Group, for example, has advocated for dialogue and diplomacy as the best way forward, while the International Red Cross has called for improved access to humanitarian aid in the region.
In addition, various world leaders have traveled to the region in an effort to de-escalate the tensions and promote peace and stability. South Korean President Moon Jae-in, in particular, has made several trips to Pyongyang in order to foster better relations between the two countries.
