Chapter 1 section 2 security environment of northeast Asia the ‘asia’s Paradox’ phenomenon, in which the deepening economic interdependence is not matched by a commensurate level of cooperation in the security field, still lingers in Northeast asia. Northeast asian countries are building up their military strength in an attempt to achieve military superiority and increase their clout in the region while expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation with neighbors sharing common interests. 1. The structure of Cooperation and Conflict among nations in the Region Persists Against the backdrop of the U.S.-China relationship resting upon a dual structure of strategic cooperation and competition, Japan and Russia are also bolstering their militaries to increase their clout in the region while the level of instability and uncertainty continues to grow as the alliances and the cooperation and conflict dynamic among the regional nations persist. To maintain its influence in Northeast Asia in a stable manner, the U.S. has expanded its military presence in the region based on its ‘Asia-Pacific Rebalance Strategy,’ and has tightened cooperation with its allies and partners, while actively participating in regional multilateral consultative bodies. Despite the reductions in the defense budget, the U.S. is shifting 60% of its naval fleet to the Asia-Pacific and increasing its investment in cutting-edge defense technologies. The U.S.’s stance is to prevent war on the Korean peninsula and maintain peace and stability in the region, based on the ROK-U.S. Alliance and U.S.-Japan Alliance. China, based on its enhanced national power, has demanded a ‘new type of major power relations’ to the U.S., and in an effort to further lift its status and influence in the region, it is modernizing its military and pursuing a proactive foreign policy. To ensure continuous economic growth and national development, China is likely to seek peace and stability on the Korean peninsula as well as in Northeast Asia, while aggressively responding to issues that are related to its core national interests. Section 2 Security environment of Northeast asia 13