ROK (Republic of Korea)-US (United States) Military Relations: Transition of Defense Responsibility

Since the end of the Korean war in 1953, the United States has been the guarantor of peace and stability on the Korean peninsula. Today, after thirty-six years of U.S. military protection, the South Korean economy is one of the worlds most dynamic, fully capable of financing its own national defense. Its freely elected democratic government has dropped its hard-line, anti- communist rhetoric and is pursuing a northern diplomacy aimed at a peaceful reunification. Finally, its military stands on the verge of full modernization and is becoming a respected deterrent in its own right. Yet is spite of all this success, the United States remains in firm control of ROK-US military command positions and retains operational control over the Korean defense forces in peace and war. This study examines the need for a continuing U.S. dominance in ROK-US military relations and proposes a transition strategy, whereby defense responsibility can be transfered from U.S. to ROK military forces. Such a move would strengthen and preserve ROK-US politicalmilitary relations as well as protect our future regional interests.