The Evolution of the South Korea–United States Alliance

A comprehensive look at the role of history, economics, security, threat perception, and domestic politics in the South Korea-United States alliance.

Uk Heo (Author), Terence Roehrig (Author)

9781107104679, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 27 September 2018

290 pages, 2 b/w illus.
22.3 x 14.3 x 2 cm, 0.47 kg

'The authors provide readers with an excellent understanding of the U.S. - South Korean alliance, drawing extensively on the secondary literature and some primary documents and reports from both English and Korean sources.' Andrew Yeo, H-Diplo

In contrast to previous studies of the South Korea-United States alliance, Uk Heo and Terence Roehrig analyze the bigger picture, including the history, economics, security, alliance structure, politics, and the future of the alliance. Taking alliance theory as a starting point, the authors argue that the alliance provides an ideal case study to examine how the political development and economic growth of junior partners impact an alliance. As South Korea's capabilities and ambitions have grown, the alliance has evolved from an asymmetric regional security relationship to an economic partnership with global interests, while China's rise and North Korea's nuclear development mean that South Korea remains of strategic importance for American interests in East Asia. This book will be read both as a major contribution to Korean studies and the study of alliance politics and theory.

Introduction
1. Theory and the ROK-US alliance
2. Early relations and establishing the ROK-US alliance
3. Democratization and alliance
4: Security motivations for the alliance
5. Economic growth and the KOR-US free trade agreement
6. Changing military dimensions of the alliance
Conclusion: the joint vision and the future of the alliance.

Subject Areas: Defence strategy, planning & research [JWK], International institutions [JPSN], Diplomacy [JPSD], International relations [JPS], Public administration [JPP], Political structures: totalitarianism & dictatorship [JPHX]