It is normal for civilians in countries heavily influenced by another to have negative sentimental feelings about that nation, regardless of who it is. Even more so when decisions are consequential, but we must examine history before categorizing what could be said to be inquires as negatively or positively charged.
East Asia security is one that America at the worst of they can only be reactionary, and the best of it is an icy draw.
Historically, It would be recommended that South Korea reorganize its armed forces. Perhaps stop conscriptions, and the development of military crafts and weapons. Attempting to build up faster than North Korea is a problematic endeavor. Operational capacity is obsolete in the face of nuclear weapons.
There should be monitoring, but not a race of who could put the most spy satellites in the sky. If South Korea ends up with a military strongman in charge this is the quickest recipe for confrontation. Diffusing the situation may be as simple as not being a threat.
Japan on the other hand has different security needs. Several seconds to prepare makes a big difference in outcome. It is unknown what offense capabilities they could pursue that won’t aggravate East Asia security.
All in all East Asia’s security greatest deterrent has been the defense pact, but there is still ways to incorporate behavior that is peaceful for one, and denies helplessness of another.