Smiles Can't Hide Rift in Korea-U.S. Alliance

According to this editoril from the Dong A-Ilbo of South Korea, differences over a number of issues, especially the North Korean human rights situation, have driven a wedge between Washington and Seoul that no amount of pleasant language can hide.

EDITORIAL

November 17, 2005

Original Article (English)

Presidents Bush and Roh: Working at Cross Purposes?

[SLIDE SHOW: Bush In South Korea].

U.S. President George W. Bush stressed at Summit talks held in Gyeongju yesterday that the bilateral relationship is robust, saying, "The link between the two countries is stronger than ever." President Roh agreed with him, saying, "The bilateral alliance is doing great, and will do even better."

But the soundness of South Korea-U.S. relations will be proven only when conflicts going on behind the diplomatic rhetoric are fully addressed. In this regard, reassurances at the summit of a solid alliance and agreement on the principle of a peaceful and diplomatic resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue, seem to testify to the difficulty of closing the rift in the alliance.

The two leaders agreed to continue exploring ways to improve the human rights situation in North Korea. But Roh drew a line, saying, "There are many issues to be addressed in inter-Korean relations. So the political implications should also be taken into account."

Presidents Bush and Roh Smile for Cameras.

He added, "Abraham Lincoln was once criticized for not doing enough for the liberation of the slaves. But he chose to push for the freedom of slaves step by step, with the first priority the reintegration of the Confederacy." His history lesson, which can be interpreted as a discourtesy, highlights the difference of opinion between the two countries.

Differences between the two countries have surfaced on several issues, such as the transfer of operational military control authority [in time of emergency, the U.S. will command the theater of operations], the potential abolition of the War Reserve Stocks for Allies program [the maintenance of a reserve stock of weapons and ammunition by the U.S. in South Korea], and the enhancement of Joint Operation Plan 5029 [yearly joint military exercises].

The Roh Administration's policy of greater self-reliance and stronger inter-Korean cooperation is pulling Korea and the U.S. further apart. The resulting chasm between the two sides will end up being a huge burden that will weigh down the Korean people.

The summit talks are meant to provide a forum to explore ways of reaching a broad consensus, so that the issues or sources of disagreement can be resolved in a way that benefits both parties.

We can't be sure if the South Korea-U.S. Summit talks provided such an opportunity. Although the two leaders unanimously stated that there is no problem in the alliance, the mere fact that they agreed to create a new ministerial-level dialogue channel called: "A strategic dialogue commission for a stronger partnership" proves the existence of a large number of differences.

To revive the South Korea-U.S. alliance, we should face reality and see through the smiles on the faces of the two leaders.