Is U.S. Forces Korea Still Needed on the Korean Peninsula.

摘要

The United States-Republic of Korea (ROK) alliance has successfully served as a deterrent against war on the Korean peninsula for over 50 years. Recently, however, many younger Koreans, as well as many Americans, are questioning the rationale for maintaining a U.S. military force in Korea. This research project analyzes the strategic defense objectives of the ROK and the United States to answer the following question: Is U.S. Forces Korea still needed on the Korean peninsula. In answering this question, the author considers the strategic implications of reducing or completely withdrawing the U.S. military presence from the peninsula, reviews steps being taken by the ROK to become more 'self-reliant' with regard to self defense, assesses North Korean - South Korean relations, and considers ROK's possible role as a 'power balancer' in the region.