Key issues surrounding S. Korea-U.S. alliance

한미수교 142주년: 한미동맹 둘러싼 주요 쟁점들

Exactly 142 years ago today, Korea and the U.S. established diplomatic relations.
The two countries have spent more than half a century as allies, and the alliance, touted as one of the world’s most successful and enduring, has now become the linchpin of regional security.
But Seoul and Washington face growing challenges from many directions amid a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment, growing protectionism of national interests, and political polarization in both countries.
On this edition of Within the Frame, we examine the key issues surrounding the Korea-U.S. alliance and their prospects.
Joining me in the studio is Go Myong-hyun, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy.
We also have VOA Correspondent Jessica Stone joining us from Washington D.C.
(GO) Q1. Korea and the U.S. have been expanding their alliance beyond traditional boundaries in recent years. How do you assess the current state of South Korea-U.S. alliance, and what would you pick as the biggest threat that could undermine their decades-long military partnership?

(STONE) Q2. The hottest issue of the South Korea-U.S. alliance right now is the defense cost-sharing that will take effect from 2026. The two sides kicked off their second round of negotiations in Seoul yesterday, to decide how much Korea should shoulder to support U.S. troops stationed in Korea. What have you learned so far about Washington’s stance on the matter?

(GO) Q3. As the U.S. Presidential election nears, concerns are rising over possible impact of presidential candidate Donald Trump’s ‘America First’ policy on the Korea-U.S. alliance. But Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong reassured that the alliance is unshakable, and will strengthen even further through "institutionalized" cooperation. What are your thoughts on this, and what could be some examples of institutionalized cooperation?

(STONE) Q4. The U.S. presidential election is now less than six months away, and like it or not, it will be a rematch between Biden and Trump. Where do they each stand on the Korea-U.S. alliance and key issues surrounding it?

(STONE) Q5. The issue of South Korea’s nuclearization has resurfaced, after remarks made by Elbridge Colby, a leading candidate for America’s next top security advisor should Trump win the election. He said South Korea’s nuclear armament should no longer be seen as off-limits, saying the U.S. may not be able to live up to its defense commitments to South Korea if North Korea can conduct nuclear attacks on American cities. While many here in South Korea are also voicing concerns about this, what is the Biden administration’s take?

(GO) Q6. North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea just a day after Russian President Putin held a summit with Xi Jinping of China last week. How do you see this?

(STONE) Q7. Putin and Xi issued a joint statement, a large part of which was dedicated to slamming the U.S. and the West. It said the U.S. and its allies must halt ‘military intimidation’ against North Korea, and what they called Washington’s “destructive and hostile course.” How is the U.S. reacting to the criticism?

(GO) Q8. Many had anticipated that Putin may drop by North Korea after wrapping up his trip to China, but there was no such visit. While some say that this reflects Xi Jinping’s discomfort in the emergence of the China-Russia-North Korea axis, what’s your take?
And that brings us to the end of this show.
Thank you for watching, and be sure to tune in same time tomorrow to join our conversation.
Good bye for now.

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2024-05-22, 18:30 (KST)

Видео Key issues surrounding S. Korea-U.S. alliance канала Arirang News