[KS] Korean U.S. Alliance

[Rupert Atkinson]

Here is an interesting article, considering the topic of last Friday's
presentation (Fulbright Forum) on readjusting / maintaining the U.S. - Korean
security treaty arrangments.

www.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/06/16/korea.helms/index.html

And for those who attended:
My own view is that the realist approach whereby an alliance is maintained due
to a security threat provides a far greater rationale for comprehension than
does an institutionalist approach that seems to suggest - "Well we have come
this far together so let's continue - with some modifications ..."   Meaning -
in the long term I believe it will be the threat factor that determines the
strength of a continuing realtionship between South Korea and the U.S., which
implies that the best way to maintain the alliance would be to maintain the
threat - not a good prospect for progress, but maybe a rational choice for
'some' policy makers... - and of course, no one dare admit it (just my view).
Besides all that, President Kim Dae-jung has done pretty well - with no outside
help - and should be congratulated.  Indeed, the fact that no outside (foreign)
help was required could be interpreted as - none was necessary, and 'any' would
have been a hinderance.  Perhaps Korea will be able to solve her own problems
... But how long will KDJ remain on the scene?   The personality factor could be
almost as strong in the South as it is in the North.  I predict that as long as
he is around, the ball will continue to roll ... but after that is anyone's
guess.

Rupert Atkinson



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