► Adopted at the recent ROK-US summit, the "Washington Declaration" connects the past, present, and future of the ROK-US alliance, which was formed 70 years ago. ► Based on the foundation of a "value alliance," cooperation has been expanded across five areas, including security, economy, technology, culture, and intelligence. ► The sensitive and concerned response from China, Russia, a...

► Washington Declaration paved the way for what hitherto has been the US extended deterrence to morph into Korea-US extended deterrence. ► Through joint planning and training, and incorporation of Korea’s conventional weapons support for US nuclear operations, the Korea-US alliance would be able to strengthen deterrence capabilities to a level different from the past through the concretization of ‘Korean-s...

► The cooperation agreements made based on this trust during the recent South Korea-U.S. summit will navigate the bilateral relations over the next 70 years. ► NCG entitles South Korea to participate on equal footing with the U.S. in its planning and steering of nuclear deterrence strategy against North Korea. ► Cooperation agreements in the cyber and space domains have also paved the way for the alliance...

► The ROK-U.S. summit was held in Washington, D.C. on April 26 during President Yoon’s state visit to the United States. The bilateral relations were at a stalemate without a state visit for a while. ► The most noticeable achievement of this summit is by far the establishment of a Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG). ► The NCG establishment will also play a positive role in the transition of wartime operat...

► Anchored in mutual respect and common values of democracy, human rights, and freedom, the ROK-U.S. alliance has played an indispensable role in promoting democracy, peace, economic prosperity, and security in Asia and beyond over the past seven decades. ► The 70-year-long alliance has a track record of supporting mutual interests of the two like-minded nations across the Pacific while overcoming challenges ...

► As is customary to honor the commitment made between countries on the anniversary of signing, the ROK-US alliance is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Since the 70th birthday is considered a rare and significant event in Korea, the 70-year-history of the ROK-US alliance is certainly an exceptional milestone deserving of celebration, and even more so amidst a complex "diplomatic war" where no one ca...

► The ROK-US Alliance has greatly contributed to achieving its original goal- deterring North Korea’s nuclearization and maintaining the stability on the Korea Peninsula. ► However, the current competition between the US and Chinese networks, including North Korea problem, is weakening the liberal international order that the ROK-US alliance has been positioned over the past 70 years. ► South Korea sh...

► American political leaders wish to encourage South Korea’s role as – in President Yoon’s words – a “global pivotal state,” engaged in issues as varied as technology, defense, and democracy. ► At a time when China, Russia, and others seek a revised international order conducive to their autocratic brands of governance, Seoul is emerging with critical support for the forces of freedom. ► The S...

►The U.S.-Korea alliance, marking its 70th year, strengthened the determination of both leaders to keep the alliance in lockstep. ►The No. 1 subject on the agenda was how to strengthen “extended deterrence” in the face of North Korea’s rapidly expanding missile and nuclear weapons program. ► The success of this latest summit will help to set the allies off in the right direction to expand and deepe...

►The state visit punctuates the alliance’s historical success and future trajectory. On the peninsula, the leaders will pivot toward nuclear power-sharing that stops just shy of sharing America’s nuclear weapons. South Korea will have a more prominent voice in nuclear planning and decision-making. ►Regionally, the two allies are prepared to strengthen cooperation with Japan and other like-minded count...

►South Korean President Yoon has placed a ‘comprehensive strategic alliance’ with the United States as the centerpiece of South Korean foreign policy, which broadly reflects South Korean public support for close relations with the U.S. ►Still, critics of the Yoon administration believe Yoon’s rush to appease Japan and the United States may exacerbate tensions with North Korea and bring retaliation from C...

► The significance of the upcoming visit can be highlighted in terms of three aspects; 1) it is an appraisal of the past 70 years of the ROK-U.S. alliance, which stands as one of history’s most successful alliances, 2) in order for Korea and the United States to advance anew toward the next 70 years, both need to carefully cultivate this precious alliance and make sure it evolves in line with the changing ti...