Alliance is a strategically formed relation among countries having the same enemies, rather than a simple friendship. In the fluctuating international politics, countries in the alliance may have different views or opinions against the previous mutual...
Alliance is a strategically formed relation among countries having the same enemies, rather than a simple friendship. In the fluctuating international politics, countries in the alliance may have different views or opinions against the previous mutual threat or enemies. In this case, the degree of cohesion will drop and the alliance will shift because the countries in the alliance pursue their own respective goal.
The Korean-American alliance faces the irresistible transition. The current transitional process seems to be somewhat different, compared to the previous adjustment. The progression is about the new concept and formation of the alliance, not simply the location and size of USFK. Comforting those who worry about the weakening and(or) dissolution of the alliance, the progression satisfies the requirement and hope that the future alliance will improve in the new era.
However, the today’s Korean-American alliance seems to derail the old track. USFK, stationing in Korea under the terms of the Korean-American mutual defence agreement and SOFA, encounters the most serious Anti-American sentiment. The candle light demonstration, following the armored car accident, inequality of SOFA, and US-lead Iraq invasion, exposes clearly anti-America and anti-war emotion of Korean peoples. This emotion is the product of long existing ideological anti-American sentiment and recent widespread impulsive anti-American sentiment. From the structural point of view, the weakening of the alliance between Korea and USA stems from the change of international political environment since the September 11 Attacks. As the recognition of the mutual enemies at the start of cold war has differed, international political issues have appeared in the way that damaged the Korean-American Alliance.
However, we don't have to react to the anti-American sentiment too sensitively nor neglect it. As pointed out earlier "anti-American sentiment is common in the countries under American influence," we have to accept it as it is. In addition we have to try to locate and remove the causes behind anti-American sentiment.
Currently, US is the leading power in Northeast Asia and Russian influence is declining in this region. Japan and China are increasing their influence. Especially the influence and role of China is directly affecting the balance of power among countries in the area and causing important structural change in Korea's security environment. US, in contradictory position of strong economical bond with and strategical confrontation against China, has been trying to restrain China through strong security diplomacy with Japan, decrease military expense of Northeast Asian nations. and retain japan from becoming a mighty super power. In this situation Korea has a chance to be a military and diplomatic key player as a stabilizer in the region.
The US has been the most reliable partner for Korea, for the past 50 years, and the US needs to expand stable partners when considering a dynamic Asia-Pacific economy and the possible threat against world wide peace. The evidences supporting the claim that the USFK is necessary for Korea's own good, the contribution of USFK to Korea for security and economy growth is clearly shown in section 1 of chapter 4. In another words, two countries can share mutual benefits in the future security environment and rationalizes the attempt to fortify the alliance through development. Therefore, Korea needs to recognize the current transitional process as a chance to achieve new advancements―accomplishing the relational equilibrium and self-control through appropriate utilization of the alliance―under the belief that the two goals, stable security and independent defence capability, can be achieved simultaneously.