This document is an academic paper by Noor Haslina bt Zamahuri that examines American foreign policy toward South Korea. It covers the historical development of the U.S.-ROK alliance, including the Korean War and the Mutual Defense Treaty, as well as contemporary issues such as North Korea's nuclear threat, the KORUS Free Trade Agreement, and the Washington Declaration. The paper also discusses…
This academic paper by Noor Haslina bt Zamahuri examines American foreign policy toward South Korea. It is intended for students and researchers interested in U.S.-East Asia relations, international security, and trade policy.
The paper begins with an overview of U.S. foreign policy toward South Korea, covering economic and technological cooperation through the KORUS Free Trade Agreement, the military alliance and North Korea's nuclear threat, and South Korea's role in the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy.
Section 2.1 covers the Korean War and the creation of the alliance from 1950 to 1953, including the division of Korea, the North Korean invasion, the armistice, and the Mutual Defense Treaty. Section 2.2 discusses South Korea's democratization and economic development after the war, including rapid industrialization, the Miracle on the Han River, and the 1987 democratization.
Section 2.3 examines the KORUS Free Trade Agreement, implemented in 2012, and its benefits for both countries, including automotive exports from South Korea and agricultural exports from the United States. Section 2.4 covers the Washington Declaration and the Nuclear Consultative Group established in 2023 to coordinate nuclear deterrence.
Section 2.5 discusses U.S.-South Korea policy under President Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, including the 2025 summit timeline and the evolution of the alliance beyond military security to include trade, investment, and strategic industries.