FROM THE INVOLVEMENT IN VIETNAM WAR (1964 - 1973) TO THE EMERING HORIZONS IN SOUTH KOREA-VIETNAM RELATIONS

Abstract

The Vietnam War was one of the most extensive and violent wars in the 20th century. More than 3 million American military service members participated in 1964–1975 and about 58,000 died, was the longest military conflict in US history. The people of Vietnam have been confronted with an great power with potentials, economic strength and military superiority. In order to internationalize the war as the model of Korean War (1950-1953), the US have mobilized powerful allies to directly involve (Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Philippines…) in Vietnam War in which, the South Korean (ROK) troops was highly evaluated by the US for their aggressiveness, ability and effectiveness. By the end of 1969, about 49,000 Korean troops were actively participated in combat in South Vietnam, while an additional 15,000 civilians labourers and technicians were working as employees of the US and Korean firms operating in South Vietnam. This study is divided into three major parts: (1) to brief the context of the ROK’s participation in Vietnam War (1964 - 1973) in which we try to review the motives and factors behind South Korea’s decision to send troops to Vietnam. (2) the benefits and consequences of the ROK’s participation; and (3) the current changing relations between the ROK and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRVN) as the two countries put aside the past and look to emerging horizons with the “miraculous” developments in the ROK-SRVN relations.