ROK-US alliance must mature, not fracture

Chun In-bum

On July 4th, the United States celebrated its 249th Independence Day. A few weeks from now, on Aug. 15th, the Republic of Korea will mark the 77th anniversary of its founding. These national milestones offer more than just an opportunity for celebration — they are a moment to reflect on one of the most enduring and successful alliances in modern history: the ROK-U.S. alliance.

The alliance, forged in the crucible of war and nurtured over decades, has been mutually beneficial. American sacrifice in the Korean War — more than 37,000 lives lost — ensured the survival of a free Korea. In turn, Korea stood alongside the United States in Vietnam, sending over 300,000 troops, with approximately 20,000 wounded and 5,000 killed. The 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty signed between Korea and the U.S. became the cornerstone of a security architecture that enabled Korea to rise from the ashes of war and become a democratic and economic success story.

Let us be clear: this alliance is not a one-way street. Korea has benefitted enormously in terms of security and development, while the United States gained a strategic ally in one of the world’s most critical regions. It was a partnership based on interests, shared values and trust. And yet, today, that trust is being tested — not necessarily by betrayal, but by complacency, shifting geopolitics and unclear priorities on both sides.

Korea is at an inflection point. Internally, it faces daunting challenges — an aging and shrinking population, declining birthrates, youth disillusionment and a mental health crisis. Politically, the nation is recovering from years of domestic division and looking to redefine its place in the world. The administration of President Lee Jae Myung has declared that it will pursue a “pragmatic foreign policy.” The term sounds reasonable. But pragmatism, without clarity of principle or strategic vision, risks becoming another word for drift.

Externally, the world order is shifting unpredictably. The United States, under President Donald Trump, is experiencing a political transformation whose consequences reach far beyond its borders. Dubbed “Trumpism,” it is redefining America's foreign policy posture, blending economic pressure with security demands. It is no longer unusual to see trade policy and military commitments tied together — sometimes implicitly, sometimes explicitly.

For Korea, this creates a dangerous dynamic. When national security is treated as part of a package deal — where defense contributions are weighed against trade deficits or tariffs — it blurs a vital distinction. Economics is about livelihood. Security is about life and death. They are not interchangeable.

But America’s changing priorities are not the only concern. Korea must also do some soul-searching. For too long, there has been a subtle assumption that the U.S. will always be there to provide and lead. That assumption is no longer sustainable. The United States is stretched thin — grappling with war in Europe, crisis in the Middle East and profound domestic divisions. Korea is no longer at the top of Washington’s list. That does not mean the alliance is over. It means Korea must grow up.

Maturity, in this context, does not mean abandoning the alliance. It means contributing to it more seriously. It means recognizing that national defense cannot be outsourced, that diplomacy requires consistency and that leadership demands taking responsibility for one’s own future. It means accepting that alliances must evolve — or risk becoming obsolete.

Despite today’s uncertainties, there remain vast areas for U.S.-ROK cooperation: critical technologies, cyber defense, clean energy, artificial intelligence governance, regional stability and more. But these opportunities can only be seized if both sides are committed to the long term. This relationship is not about individual leaders or election cycles. It is about shared strategic interests that transcend political moods.

We must resist the temptation to politicize the alliance. Emotional overreactions to momentary policy disagreements — whether from Washington or Seoul — serve no one. Neither does nostalgia for a Cold War-era dynamic where one side led and the other followed. The alliance must be reimagined as a mature partnership of equals, grounded in realism and mutual respect.

Korea is no longer a developing country in need of protection. It is a leader in technology, innovation and culture. With that stature comes responsibility — not only to its people, but also to the alliance that helped make that success possible.

There will always be temptations — political, ideological or populist — to question the value of this alliance. But the facts remain unchanged: it has delivered security, prosperity and peace. If we fail to safeguard and adapt this partnership now, we may not have a second chance later.

This is a moment for both nations to recommit — to think beyond the immediate headlines, beyond the transactional and beyond the political noise. The ROK-U.S. alliance must not fracture under the weight of change. It must mature, evolve and endure.

Chun In-bum is the former commander of the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command.