[Viewpoint] Is South Korea Still an Ally of the United States?

Lee Yong-jun, Former Ambassador for North Korean Nuclear Affairs and Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

During the Roman Republic era, Rome fought numerous wars with various states during its expansion. When Rome won a war, what it demanded from the defeated countries was neither territorial cession, nor revenge, nor reparations. It was simply the conclusion of an alliance treaty with Rome. The content of the treaty was very simple. If the Roman Confederation went to war, the allied state would provide some troops and promise not to invade other Roman allies. Rome was generous to the defeated countries in this way, which was an important foundation of the 'Pax Romana.' However, if a defeated country that had signed the alliance treaty broke its promise and invaded Rome or its allies, Rome imposed harsh punishments such as territorial annexation. Rome believed that while waging war was a natural right of a state, a country that broke its promises did not deserve protection.

An alliance treaty is a sacred agreement between countries to stand on the same side and provide military support to each other in the event of war. Since alliance treaties are premised on wartime situations, there is no place for neutrality or 'balanced diplomacy' within them. Mediation for peace is the role of neutral countries, not allies. The term 'peace alliance' is ignorant and empty rhetoric. Historically, there have been countries that betrayed their alliance vows. Italy was a member of the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria during World War I, but when war was imminent, it left the alliance and joined the Allies. Italy was also part of the Triple Alliance with Germany and Japan during World War II, but defected from the alliance as the war situation worsened. Italy even expanded its territory somewhat as a reward for being counted among the victorious countries. However, the international community remembers this history of betrayal for a long time.

"(Strategy) Recognizing that an armed attack against any party in the Pacific area endangers its own peace and safety and declares that it will act in accordance with its constitutional procedures to meet the common danger." This is the core clause of the Korea-US Mutual Defense Treaty. The wording of the North Korea-China alliance treaty, which opposes the Korea-US alliance, is much stronger. "If one party to the treaty (omitted) is subjected to an armed invasion and thereby enters a state of war, the other party shall provide military and other assistance without delay with all its power." According to this, in the event of a recurrence of the Korean War, the US and China are obligated to provide military support to South Korea and North Korea, respectively. If a war breaks out between the US and China, South Korea and North Korea must militarily support the US and China, respectively. This is what an alliance relationship means. Claiming neutrality only means betraying the alliance.

Amid the intensifying US-China hegemonic rivalry, the crisis of the Korea-US alliance is deepening due to South Korea's blatant anti-US and pro-China policies. Overcoming this crisis cannot be achieved through shallow lip service or empty diplomatic rhetoric.

Currently, there is fierce diplomatic and military competition directly or indirectly connected to the US-China hegemonic rivalry. Sensitive major issues abound, including the South China Sea territorial disputes, Huawei issues, the Hong Kong situation, China's human rights issues, deployment of intermediate-range missiles, enforcement of sanctions against North Korea, the Korea-US-Japan trilateral security cooperation, South China Sea 'freedom of navigation' operations, and participation in the US-led Indo-Pacific defense cooperation group 'QUAD' and the Economic Prosperity Network (EPN). However, South Korea, a US ally, almost entirely shares China's position on all these issues. It is arguably an ironclad alliance surpassing even the Korea-US alliance and the North Korea-China alliance. In contrast, other US allies, including NATO, Japan, and Australia, almost without exception, act in concert with the US.

Is South Korea still a US ally? If the Moon Jae-in administration's secret plan is not to abandon the Korea-US alliance and switch to a Korea-China alliance, then even from the perspective of their preferred 'balanced diplomacy,' and considering the recent statement by the ambassador to the US that "security is with the US, economy is with China," the pro-China one-sided diplomatic and security policy should be changed. If the recent remarks by the Deputy Foreign Minister during a visit to the US that "the Korea-US alliance is the foundation of our diplomatic security" are to be recognized as more than mere formal lip service to the US, the government must prove the sincerity of its alliance commitment through actions, not words.