韓ㆍ美 關係 굳히기에 힘을 모을 때: ‘大韓民國’ 지키는 유일의 선택

Abstract

The 70-year history of the Republic of Korea -- overcoming a legacy of dire poverty and a disastrous inter-Korean War to construct an industrialized liberal democracy – is a legendary story. This success was possible thanks to the liberal international order maintained by US leadership. The favorable international environment for liberal democratic Korea is, however, rapidly deteriorating. China under Xi Jinping began to restore its historical suzerain system over its neighbors, including Korea. We can detect China’s desire to ‘Finlandize’ Korea. Supported by China, North Korea increases efforts to unify the Korean Peninsula on its own terms. President Trump’s policy of ‘America First’ is also harming the ROK-US alliance. In a rapidly changing international environment, the ROK should develop a policy to protect its liberal democracy and economic development. Policy options are quite limited, since the United States is the only great power that can deter China. The ROK should keep its strong alliance with the US. The ROK should keep its liberal democratic stance so that the US will accept ROK as a ‘value ally.’ Militarily, the ROK should strengthen its ‘security alliance,’ and keep the US-ROK joint forces command system. US bases in Korea should also be maintained. Economically, the ROK should deepen cooperative relations. In this way, the ROK should transform its alliance into a ‘comprehensive alliance.’ The ROK should prove that a strong ROK-US alliance will help stabilize the East Asian regional peace system, and that the alliance is a mutually beneficial arrangement.