Evolution And Future Of The Rok-us Alliance. From South Korea's Foreign Policy

The Cold War following the end of the Second World War put both South Korea and the United States in a security dilemma. South Korea and the United States signed the ROK-US Mutual Defense Treaty after the Korean War, which provides a legal basis for US forces existing in South Korea later, signifying the formal establishment of South Korea-US Alliance. The alliance developed smoothly during most of the time of the Cold War. The United States gave generous support to South Korea in exchange for a pliant government in Korea. During this period, the two countries saw their interests converging and adopted similar foreign policies. As the Cold War ended, profound changes took place in international relations, particularly in Northeast Asia. The breakup of the Soviet Union and the collapse of the socialist bloc greatly weakened the bilateral alliance as an instrument of containment. In order to expand its national interests and realize its global grand strategy, US has withdrawn or reduced its forces in the Korean Peninsula several times. These are all its independent decisions as a result of its changes of strategies in East Asia and the Korean Peninsula. The discord in strategic interests led to unprecedented disputes between Washington and Seoul, both of whom had to reexamine and readjust their alliance. Since the 21st century, the decrease and redeployment of U.S Armed forces in South Korea is a military and political move that exerts great influence on the US-South Korea Alliance which played a critical role in the national security of South Korea for more than 50 years. This redeployment of US forces in South Korea could be deemed as the biggest US defense posture change since the Korean War. South Korea is in deep fear that, with the sudden US forces withdrawal from its border with the North Korea, North Korea might take venturous action, causing disaster to South Korea. Although there has been compromise between South Korea and the US in the military force redeployment and decrease, the plan for the move has not been finally decided yet. However, with the situation changing, this military move is facing huge challenges. After a period of reflection and maneuvering, both sides adopted a more pragmatic approach and the alliance was saved. Recently, Lee Myung-Bak and Obama respectively became new president of South Korea and the United States. With this situation, what changes in the future relations of South Korea and United States?In conclusion, the future development of South Korea-US alliance is confront ed with many challenges. For example, South Korea-US Free Trade Agreement, the development of relations between South Korea and China, the solution of North Korea nuclear issue and the improvement of relations between North Korea and Japan etc. Anyway, the future development of South Korea-US alliance is a necessary way for South Korea to go. Because South Korea and United States are non-fair-weather friends, for South Korea and Northeast Asia security, the United States is indeed the first choice concerning ally of Korea in the past, presentand future.