[Opinion] The Importance of the ROK-US Alliance Seen Through the Ukraine Crisis

[Jeon In-beom, Retired Lieutenant General and Former Chief Representative of the UN Command Military Armistice Commission] On February 24, 2022, the Russian military began shelling Ukraine, marking the start of the largest war in Europe since World War II. While both the general public and many experts were concerned about a Russian attack, few anticipated an actual invasion. This was largely due to the human psychology of not wanting to believe what is hard to accept. The fact that the United States banned its citizens from traveling to Ukraine and evacuated Americans from Ukraine was already a sign that war was imminent. This is something that our citizens, living under constant security threats, must keep in mind.

Since the Russian invasion, condemnation from the international community, including the EU, has continued. However, India remains silent, China appears to be supporting Russia, and North Korea continues its development of strategic weapons and nuclear capabilities without concern. Our citizens, living in such an environment, must once again raise their security awareness. The most important lesson we should take as a cautionary example is that our security must be upheld by our own will, and we must have the determination to choose dignified peace over cowardly peace. However, will alone is not enough; preparation based on sacrifice is necessary.

Although South Korea and Ukraine face similar security threats, there are fundamental differences. First, Ukraine stands alone, but we have the United States Forces Korea (USFK). If US troops had been stationed in Ukraine, would Russia have dared to attack? It is well known that this invasion was carried out to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and to annex it to Russia. While the presence of USFK sometimes highlights negative aspects such as the cost of stationing and occasional crimes, it is undoubtedly the most reliable force protecting us from threats posed by North Korea and neighboring countries.

The USFK symbolizes the ROK-US alliance based on the Mutual Defense Treaty between South Korea and the United States. Over the past 70 years, we have built a prosperous South Korea by attracting foreign investment and developing our economy based on the security provided by the ROK-US alliance. Meanwhile, North Korea has become a one-man dictatorship and possesses nuclear weapons. Although we do not have nuclear weapons, we can live without worry because of the ROK-US alliance and the USFK. Yet, we still feel uneasy. This is because we understand how dangerous it is to entrust our security to another country. Therefore, to maintain and strengthen the ROK-US alliance, we must continuously make the United States understand our position while simultaneously enhancing our own defense capabilities and remembering not only the benefits but also the responsibilities that come with the military alliance.

Observing the Ukraine situation, we can see how limited the United Nations’ inherent functions of conflict deterrence and resolution have become. It has failed to even pass proper resolutions. However, South Korea already has the United Nations Command, which has gone through such processes. There have been many discussions in recent years about the necessity of the UN Command’s existence. But as this situation shows, while it is easy to abolish a UN military organization, it is impossible to recreate one. The UN Command on the Korean Peninsula is as important to our security as the USFK.

Everyone agrees that preventing war is more important than winning a war. Peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region are threatened by the unreasonable actions of China and North Korea. There may be times when South Korea gets caught between China and the United States. This is the real cost of a military alliance. Our participation in the Vietnam War was a similar case. Although 25,000 casualties occurred during the Vietnam War, it became an opportunity for economic development and enhanced security on the Korean Peninsula. This is diplomacy.

There is no doubt that the USFK and the UN Command are at the center of South Korea’s security. However, if we believe this structure will last forever and neglect our security, we will become slaves again. We must continuously strengthen our autonomous defense capabilities, including indigenous nuclear armament, and keep explaining and persuading the United States of our position to ensure our safety.