DISCLAIMER: NO, THIS IS NOT A SHITPOST, UNLIKE WHAT THE MODS OVER AT r/Japan MIGHT SAY. THIS IS JUST A PURELY HYPOTHETICAL BRAIN EXERCISE DISCUSSING A FICTITIOUS EVENT AND IS MEANT TO BE ANALYTICAL AS WELL AS FOSTER DEBATE. ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS NOT A TROLL OR SHITPOST

(I’m rewatching Shin Godzilla and this question came up in my mind when I saw some B-2 Spirit bombers drop MOPs onto Godzilla’s back)

Let’s set the scene: it’s a sunny Friday in Tokyo/Seoul (choose whichever city you want); weathers not extremely hot but is comfortable. People are going to work and are glad to have the weekend within their eyes.

Suddenly, a gargantuan, mutated amphibious reptilian rises up from the waters of Tokyo Bay/the Yellow Sea and makes its way into Tokyo/Incheon (and then Seoul).

Not wanting to just sit around and wait for a giant monster to start causing billions in property damage and kill tens to maybe even hundreds of thousands of people (perhaps even millions if its that serious), USFJ/USFK, without asking for the consent of or permission from the Japanese/Korean government, launches an independent attack against Godzilla. Let’s say that...

• For Japan, Godzilla has entered Tokyo; without seeking Japanese approval or consent, F/A-18s launched from both the USS Ronald Reagan in Fleet Activities Yokosuka as well as Naval Air Facility Atsugi engage against Godzilla in a desperate attempt to try and kill or ward off the giant amphibious reptile. USN destroyers from Yokosuka also head towards Godzilla at full speed, firing off whatever armaments they can muster.

• For South Korea, by the time Godzilla has made it towards the outskirts of Incehon and is headed straight towards Seoul, USAF F-16s (without the approval of or consent from the ROK government) from both Osan Air Base and Jungwon Air Base fly straight towards Godzilla, trying to stop the giant amphibious sea monster from destroying the place and putting lives at risk.

In both instances, it is only American military assets fighting. The Japanese and South Korean government did not consult USFJ/USFK, respectively, on preemptive American military support.

In either instances, could the US (or local US forces) be accused of wrongdoing for not consulting with the respective governments of Japan and South Korea before launching an independent, preemptive strike, even if its against a giant monster that poses a great national security threat? What about current Status Of Force Agreements/SOFAs between Japan and South Korea? In South Korea’s case (since it borders a hostile, militaristic neighbor to the north), would it be in a different position than Japan? What would be both the Japanese and South Korean government’s reactions to US forces in their countries acting independently against Godzilla without corresponding with the Japanese/South Korean government or seeking permission/consent from both the former and latter?