The Confidence Crises In U.S.-ROK Alliance And The Response Of South Korea During 1969-1972

Since the establishment of the U.S.-ROK alliance,its internal relationship has not been unbreakable.The dispute over Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission in 1954,also the Blue House Raid and Pueblo Crisis in 1968,have challenged the mutual trust in the U.S.-ROK alliance.In the late 1960 s and early 1970 s,the U.S.was deeply mired in the Vietnam War.And the rise of Soviet nuclear power also made the U.S.have no advantage between the two poles.With the rise of Western Europe and Japan,and the appearance of Nixon Doctrine,the U.S.began to consider implementing a strategic contraction on a global scale,which once again cast a shadow over U.S.-ROK relations.In 1969,the U.S.large-scale reconnaissance aircraft EC-121 was shot down by North Korea,and the U.S.finally chose to solve the crisis calmly,making South Korea's concerns heightened about its own security,the confidence crises in U.S.-ROK alliance broke out again.Meanwhile,the U.S.began to plan a partial withdrawal of USFK officially,and it withdrew 20,000 troops from South Korea in 1972,as a result,South Korea's suspicion further deepened.Later,because of the easing of Sino-U.S.relations and Nixon's visit to China,the South Korea began to fear that it has become a “sacrifice” for the power diplomacy which was carried out secretly,especially in the absence of its knowledge.In addition,the recovery of China's representation in the United Nations has also impacted South Korea's “legitimate status” on the Korean peninsula,thus South Korea's suspicion of the U.S.has reached its peak.Overall,the confidence crises in U.S.-ROK alliance during 1969-1972 showed a state of production-further deepening-peak.In the process,South Korea's response has generally gone through three stages: seeking security only,developing with the aid,and moving towards self-reliance.South Korea has adapted to the strategic transformation of U.S.in the area of East Asia gradually.And the economy of South Korea has improved rapidly,the diplomacy with other countries also developed.As well,the country's self-reliance and development have reduced the asymmetry within the U.S.-ROK alliance.In the 1980 s,South Korea has become one of the Four Asian Tigers.