Kim Jung-Ik’s scientific contributions

In the changed security environment after the end of the Cold War, both in name and reality the United States has become a dominant Asia—Pacific power, even without having to respond to a major military threat. This situation seems likely to continue in the foreseeable future because Japan lacks comparable military power and China does not have sufficient economic, technological and military capacity to challenge the United States. In this situation, Washington will be tempted to reduce the numbers of US troops in Asia except those needed to symbolize the US presence in the region. In the same context, some forward bases which were used to contain the Soviet Union have lost their importance to the United States. What the United States needs now are forward bases which would be useful to stabilize the region and symbolize the US presence, such as in Japan in Asia. Therefore, the United States has been reducing its fully-fledged military deployment.

With the demise of the communist regime in the Soviet Union, the world has been experiencing immense changes both in communist nations and in democratic countries. The communist bloc disintegrated in Eastern Europe and the communist leaders lost their positions. Democratic new governments were elected in these former communist countries and this process of democratization continues, even in the former Soviet Union. The symbol of the Cold War, the Berlin Wall, was also demolished and the two Germanies were united. Reflecting the change in the world, the United States has already authorized a major or partial cut in its forces from the former bases of the Cold War.

In the past, the United States kept a large number of troops in Asia to contain the Soviet Union and to maintain its influence. Although there have been suggestions that there should be a reduction in the size of US forces with the end of the Cold War, the United States has made it clear that it will keep a military presence in the Asian region.

Introduction - The United States-Republic of Korea Strategic Relationship, 1945-92 - The United States-Republic of Korea Military Relationship, 1945-92 - The Changing Security Environment - Possible Evolution of the US-ROK Strategic Relationship - Possible Evolution of the US-ROK Military Relationship - The Security of South Korea and the US-ROK Military Relationship - Options for the Security of South Korea - Bibliography - Index

The strategic relations between South Korea and the United States started with the opening of the Cold War, and the two countries maintained cordial bilateral relations throughout the Cold War era. They are still seeking to reassure each other by announcing statements of firm resolution, discussing all bilateral issues and consulting one another on decisions beforehand.

Due to the fact that national independence was not achieved by Korea’s own effort but was a result of the end of the Second World War, there was no formal body which could be called the national military in Korea. To make matters worse, the division of Korea by the American and the Soviet forces lessened the resources available to South Korea to create a national military. Therefore, South Korea could not help but be totally dependent on the US forces when the Korean War started. During more than 40 years of military relationship, South Korea has increased its military capability with remarkable speed with the help of the United States and its own efforts. However, its military is still insufficient on its own to deter North Korea and the US—ROK combined forces continue to play a crucial role in its defence.

In the strategic situation after the end of the Cold War in which South Korea does not have a long-term strategic importance to the United States and accordingly the United States will be unlikely send its troops automatically and immediately to South Korea in a crisis, there are options South Korea can choose from with regard to security. First is to increase South Korea’s own military capability. This can be achieved by increasing weapons productivity and investment in sophisticated military technology. The second option available to South Korea is to hold onto the presence of the US military. If current South Korean military capacity is not enough to counter that of North Korea, then South Korea should borrow US military capability to compensate. The third option is to weaken North Korea’s combat capability. This option could be achieved through bilateral talks possibly between China and North Korea, between the United States and North Korea, or between North Korea and Russia. If Russia and China are providing key combat elements to North Korea, South Korea could undermine North Korean military capacity by encouraging China and Russia not to do so. The last option is to hold direct North—South talks and reach a peace agreement. This would be the most desirable solution.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States achieved victory after more than 40 years of Cold War. Following the victory, the United States naturally adjusted its Asian strategy to suit the changed strategic environment. But the problem for South Korea is that the situation in Korea has not changed and needs the same attention as before. In this context, this chapter will examine US objectives in Asia, the security arrangements made to achieve these objectives and the strategic significance of South Korea to the United States. After a comparison of the strategies of the two governments, the way to guarantee South Korean security in the future will be analysed.