hankyoreh

By Jack Pritchard

South Korean President Roh-Moo-hyun will meet President George W. Bush September 14 in Washington, D.C. It is an excellent opportunity for presidents to do what they do best: set the course for the future of the alliance for years to come.

Summits are not about rehashing yesterday’s news; they are about tomorrow. We all know the value of the relationship over the past 50 years. The United States made a principled decision to come to the aid of South Korea when North Korea invaded in 1950. Many Americans have relatives that interrupted their brief respite from World War II to pick up arms again to defend South Korea. We are justly proud of the sacrifice they made, but perhaps not as grateful as most Koreans of a certain age. The success of Korea today has as its roots the support and protection of the United States. That is well understood and appreciated. Over the years Seoul has answered the call of its alliance partner as well: sending troops to Vietnam, providing the third largest contingent of troops to Iraq and, just a year ago, sending US$30 million in relief to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, among many other things.

In 1950 Korea had a population of 20 million people and the United States had 150 million. Today Korea is approaching 50 million and the U.S. 300 million. In Korea 7 percent of the population is over 65, while in the U.S. 12 percent is over the age of 65. The key element in these statistics is that the rationale and relationship that characterized the alliance 50 years ago has changed as much as our people have. Return of wartime control of Korea’s military forces is an example of the natural evolution of the relationship. When it was most prudent for the United States to have operational control of all forces during wartime, Seoul agreed. Now that Korea’s military has reached a level of capability that it makes sense for wartime control to be returned to Seoul, Washington agreed. The close consultations between our militaries guarantees that it will be well coordinated and the timing will be appropriate. It is in the United States’ interest that the process goes smoothly.

If we believe it is in each of our national interest to have a vibrant alliance relationship 20 years from now - and I do - then our two presidents should take advantage of their September 14 summit to articulate their vision for a stable and secure Northeast Asia, a robust two-way trade based on a successful free trade agreement, and a mature consultation process based on our shared values. The two presidents have an opportunity to rise above the meaningless chatter surrounding speculation on the current health of the alliance and provide a presidential roadmap that will secure the overwhelmingly positive qualities of the relationship for years to come.

Specifically, President Bush and President Roh should go beyond the September 19 Joint Statement’s agreement to explore ways and means for promoting security cooperation in Northeast Asia and call for the establishment of a permanent security mechanism in Northeast Asia. Both should clearly, forcefully, and without reservation support the successful conclusion of the Korea-U.S. FTA. Now is the time for our two countries to agree on a realistic approach to a peaceful resolution of the nuclear crisis with North Korea. While the concern for North Korea’s nuclear program is international in scope, it is Seoul and Washington that will decide the outcome. And both presidents should lead by example and pledge to consult each other in advance of any action that impacts the other. By securing the alliance for the future, President Roh and President Bush will enhance the quality of the alliance today.

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