THE UNITED STATES-REPUBLIC OF KOREA ALLIANCE AND THE KOREAN CONUNDRUM
THE UNITED STATES-REPUBLIC OF KOREA ALLIANCE AND THE KOREAN CONUNDRUM

Summary/Abstract: Taking into account the disproportionate rapport between the two associated states, we can safely assume that during the Cold War period, the relationship between the two countries was characterized by an asymmetrical alliance. Respecting its status of superpower, the U.S. defended the status quo of its junior partner, by providing the necessary security tools, whereas the South Korean leadership had to make political concessions in order to maintain the stability of the region. Yet, the Americans did not actively pursue the democratic transformation of the Korea, and instead chose to support various authoritarian regimes. This fact could be explained by the uneven U.S. interest up until the mid-‘70’s, as the various Presidential Administrations chose to preserve the relatively peaceful situation of the Peninsula and to disregard the inexistent democratic principles and the human rights abuses. Nevertheless, the Vietnam War and the Iranian crisis represented a priority on the American agenda, so the Korean problem was somehow neglected.

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