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New leaders of the Republic of Korea and the United States may begin strategic discussions on shaping a new role for their security partnership by examining two critical issues: reunification of the Korean Peninsula and revision of the Mutual Defense Treaty signed in 1953.
These two issues might look separate, but they need to be connected to promote the mutual interests of the U.S. and South Korea.
The Joint Vision for the Alliance of the United States and the Republic of Korea signed by President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President Barack Obama in 2009 states, "Through our alliance we aim to build a better future for all people on the Korean Peninsula, establishing a durable peace on the peninsula and leading to peaceful reunification." The Mutual Defense Treaty remains the cornerstone of the U.S.-ROK military alliance and of peace and stability in Northeast Asia.
For Korea, revising the Mutual Defense Treaty, which is quite outdated given the evolution of the regional security environment, provides a better condition ― through strong and robust military deterrence ― for exploring and promoting political trust with North Korea, and promoting crucial steps toward peaceful reunification.
For Washington, revision would demonstrate a strong signal to the Korean people that its commitment to the defense and peace of the Korean Peninsula is firm and abiding. This would give the U.S. government a better opportunity to discuss a new role for the U.S.-ROK military alliance within the context of the U.S. military pivot to Asia. As the Mutual Defense Treaty was signed in the aftermath of the Korean Armistice Agreement in 1953, the nature of the treaty focuses excessively on collective defense for the preservation of peace and security from external armed attack.
Now, the military alliance is required to play more diverse roles, ranging from military operations to nonmilitary operations beyond the Korean Peninsula. In this strategic environment, there are strategic factors that we must take into consideration for revising the treaty.
First, the U.S.-ROK military partnership should make efforts to promote both regional and global security. In this respect, the part of the Mutual Defense Treaty stating "pending the development of a more comprehensive and effective system of regional security in the Pacific area" is not consistent with the global status of the U.S.-ROK military cooperation.
Second, North Korea continues to conduct military and nonmilitary provocations to achieve its political goals. These provocations require us to demonstrate a strengthened combined will to deter ― extended nuclear deterrence ― for preventing both full-scale war and provocations.
Third, a military buildup among Asian countries is expected. The two nations should make efforts to mitigate a regional security dilemma which would increase security uncertainty.
Last, since the alliance has identified peaceful reunification of a divided Korea as a goal in the 2009 Joint Vision Statement, a revision of the treaty should reflect our common vision for the future of the Korean Peninsula. Although revision would not be welcome by North Korea and possibly by China, adapting the 59-year-old treaty to the changing regional and global context would upgrade the alliance and promote regional peace and stability.
Presidential candidates in Korea have not yet introduced their foreign policies. Instead, they focus on economic and social welfare issues.
Obama is maintaining the policy line he pursued throughout his first administration. In contrast, the Republican candidate Mitt Romney calls for a stronger and bolder U.S. approach to Asia to increase economic and military competitiveness.
It is understood, however, that the two candidates do not have significant differences regarding vital U.S. interests in Asia.
Before leaders of the two nations discuss revision of the Mutual Defense Treaty, the next president of Korea must define a future regional and global role of the ROK.
Without a clear vision for the nation, a new leader will face political challenges domestically and in the region.
To successfully revise the treaty and discuss the U.S. contribution for peaceful reunification of the divided peninsula, the U.S. government must be reminded that pursuing the ROK's strategic interests through the alliance furthers U.S. interests in Asia.
Park Jin-ho is a non-resident fellow of Korea Defense & Security Forum (KODEF) and works for Rep. Hwang Jin-ha of the ruling Saenuri Party.
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