The United States and South Korea Military cooperation and the impacts towards South Korean security

The military cooperation between the United States (US) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) was forged in 1953 after both nations were involved in the Korean War. Since the establishment of the Mutual Defence Treaty in 1953, the military cooperation between these two nations remains until the present day. The US aids the ROK in security assurance against any possible threats from the Democratic People of Korea (DPRK) as well as assistance in their economic development. This paper is intended to study the US-ROK military cooperation and its impact on the ROK security. Subsequently, it will also identify the historical background of the relationship between the US-ROK and examine the challenges and threats faced by both countries in the military cooperation. Then it will also identify the initiatives taken by both governments to overcome the challenges which implicate the ROK security. This paper will adopt the qualitative method approach with content interpretative analysis involving secondary data to meet the research objectives. Holistic research is conducted based on case studies and focuses on analysis from journals, articles, newsletters, thesis, handouts, internet sources, and government documents. A thorough analysis of the selected documents, data from relevant authorities, and study is organized accordingly in producing the best outcome from the analysis. A thorough analysis of the selected documents, data from relevant authorities, and study is organized accordingly in producing the best outcome from the analysis. One of the impacts on the security of the ROK is the USFK force posture in the Korean peninsula. During the Trump tenure, the decision was made to reduce the military forces always without consultation with his counterpart in Seoul. Furthermore, Trump claimed that the ROK was a free rider in the military cooperation and demanded to increase in the financial implication to maintain the US military presence in Seoul via the Special Measure Agreement. In addition, the US and ROK need to have a regular communication channel with Pyongyang. The historical summit between US-DPRK can be used as a stepping stone toward achieving peace and prosperity in the Korean peninsula.