The United States as the Guarantor of the Security for the Republic of Korea

Małgorzata Wysocka

doi:10.14746/ps.2012.2.11

Abstract

The purpose of this study is introducing the role and importance of the United States in ensuring the safety of South Korea. The USA, in act of signing the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty with the Republic of Korea in October, 1953, has committed to safeguard the national security of South Korea, and, in particular, to provide protection against external aggression, mainly from North Korea. The strengthening of the guarantees is assisted by the American military presence in the territory of the Republic of Korea, and as well holding of joint military exercises by the U.S. and Korean Armies several times a year. The attention is also drawn to the currently U.S.-South Korean military alliance that has been evolving for years, and seeks to adapt it to the challenges and problems of the modern world, such as common missions in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Highlights

Background on the Secretary ofDefense, op. cit
According to previously presented the ROK-U.S Mutual Defense Treaty, the United States maintains in South Korea its troops, that are deployed in several bases distributed throughout the territory of the Republic of Korea
In 2002 the authorities in the United States and in South Korea agreed to the implementation of the Land Partnership Plan (LPP), which aims to lead to a radical change in the presence of the U.S troops on the territory of the Republic of Korea

Summary

THE AMERCIAN MILITARY PRESENCE IN SOUTH KOREA

According to previously presented the ROK-U.S Mutual Defense Treaty, the United States maintains in South Korea its troops, that are deployed in several bases distributed throughout the territory of the Republic of Korea. In 2002 the authorities in the United States and in South Korea agreed to the implementation of the Land Partnership Plan (LPP), which aims to lead to a radical change in the presence of the U.S troops on the territory of the Republic of Korea. Those authorities agreed that Kunsan Air Base is expected to remain under the U.S control.[31] There are over 2,900 people in that base, including soldiers, civilians, etc. Since that date the task of the U.S troops stationed in South Korea is to defend the Republic of Korea against an armed aggression from North Korea, and – and in the implementation of new policies known under the name Strategic flexibility – those troops can be used outside of South Korea in case of the appearance of any circumstances, forcing the use of the U.S troops, for example in the case of the Chinese invasion of Taiwan.[35]

THE MILITARY COOPERATION BETWEEN THE USA AND SOUTH KOREA

THE FUTURE MILITARY COOPERATION