The future of the U.S.–ROK alliance: global perspectives

Abstract The U.S.–Republic of Korea (ROK) alliance has been a key component of America's bilateral alliance system in Asia for almost 60 years. For the past two decades, questions about the continued relevance of the alliance and America's commitment to South Korea have colored perceptions about the alliance's staying power in Washington and Seoul. To a large extent, this sense of strategic drift can be attributed to the failure of policymakers in both countries to define a strategic rationale for alliance-based cooperation outside of the Korean peninsula and the security architecture of the treaty. It has become increasingly obvious that absent a broad strategic reassessment, the United States will face tremendous challenges in maintaining support for this vital alliance. This article attempts to articulate a strategic framework that will help Washington and Seoul take the necessary steps to implement an enduring vision for the U.S.–ROK alliance. Central to this task will be a need for the United States to move beyond a traditional “hub-and-spoke” partnership to a more comprehensive and global relationship. By building on the June 2009 Joint Vision statement articulated by Presidents Obama and Lee Myung-bak, this article suggests shaping the alliance to focus on a variety of traditional and non-traditional security challenges ranging from climate change, to proliferation, and North Korea.