[Editorial] ROK-U.S. Issue, Resolve with 50-Year-Old Alliance

The people’s attention is focused on the annual ROK-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) held in Seoul today. The SCM deserves the entire attention since the issue of the troop dispatch to Iraq and the realignment of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) are sure to have enormous impacts on the future relationship between the two nations. Most people expect that the delegates from both sides, headed by Korean Defense Minister Cho Young-kil and the United States Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, will reach a mutually satisfying agreement.

The burden of the delegates from the two nations, who will come together to work out a difficult pressing issue, is great; however, it does not mean that there is no solution to the matter. When the 50-year-old alliance between the ROK and the United States is taken into account in resolving the issue, I am sure the delegates will meet the interests and expectations of the people. The two nations should approach the issue from a broad perspective to rekindle the spirit of the alliance, and not from a self-centered account in order to get a reward for their deeds.

The troop dispatch issue asks for South Korea to send its troop to Iraq at the U.S.’ request. Besides, the ROK should bear the burden of financial costs for the troop dispatch. The United States, therefore, must listen to the suggestions of the South Korean administration: it needs to pay respect to the Korean government, which made a hard decision after a great deal of struggles and to the trend of public opinion in the country. When taking into account the suggestions of the Korea government, I hope the U.S. will not forget to compare Korea’s attitude with those of other countries, which hesitated to dispatch troops to Iraq due to the current deteriorating situation.

The Korean government should demonstrate considerate as well as flexible attitudes when it comes to the bilateral issues. It’s responsibility as an ally is to show its goodwill to the understandable claims of the U.S., unless the U.S. comes up with unjust demands. After analyzing the U.S. strategy for Iraq and its requests in relation to the troop dispatch, the Korean government will be able to coordinate its troop dispatch strategy with thorough contemplation on the national interests and its relationship with the United States.

The realignment of the U.S. Forces in Korea is also an issue for the two nations to consider in looking at the beneficial changes with their positions in mind. The troop relocation issue is being promoted to build up the United States world strategy; however, our wish that the national security of the Korean Peninsula should not be slighted is also to be respected. Especially, even if the issue on the troop dispatch to Iraq is not coordinated smoothly, it should not have a bad influence on the U.S. Forces relocation. These two came up as impending issues at the same time, but they should be discussed separately. The time and scale of the U.S. Forces relocation should not be swayed due to the South Korean troop dispatch issue.

This SCM will pose a huge challenge to both South Korea and the United States. By overcoming this challenge, the relationship between the two nations will be able to develop into a more mature one. I hope the two countries will handle the issue with considerate attitudes toward each other. If the gap between the opinions of the two is too broad to coordinate, then it will be a good way for them to keep discussing the matter over more time.