South Korea’s decision to increase the range of its ballistic missiles could easily be interpreted as an attempt to forestall a North Korean attack. But a more accurate assessment would take into account many changes in East Asia, including worry over an arms buildup underway in China and Japan, as well as saber-rattling from the north. For Seoul, the missiles are not just about defense but about keeping up with the technological advancements of other militaries in the region so as not to be perceived as the region’s “weak sister.”
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