South Korea’s presidential office announced on Wednesday its commitment to forge a “perfect” security partnership with the incoming U.S. administration. According to a high-ranking South Korean official, President Yoon Suk Yeol will soon speak with the U.S. president-elect to affirm this alliance, as Seoul seeks to strengthen ties amid growing regional security concerns.
U.S.-South Korea Alliance: A Regional Stronghold
South Korea remains a key ally to the United States, with around 28,500 American troops stationed on the Korean Peninsula. This presence aims to deter threats from nuclear-armed North Korea, a shared concern for both nations. Since President Yoon took office two and a half years ago, bipartisan support in the U.S. for the alliance has remained strong, underscoring its importance on both sides of the political spectrum.
Last month, Seoul and Washington agreed on a five-year cost-sharing plan for the U.S. troops in South Korea. This agreement marks a shift from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s previous demands for South Korea to increase its financial contributions, which included a controversial proposal for South Korea to pay up to $5 billion annually for the U.S. deployment.
South Korea Considers Sending Monitoring Team To Ukraine
In addition to bolstering U.S. relations, South Korea is weighing involvement in international security efforts. The South Korean presidential office indicated that, while North Korean troops have not fully engaged in combat against Ukrainian forces, there is a need to monitor the situation closely. As part of this effort, South Korea may send a monitoring team to Ukraine. According to the official, this deployment does not require National Assembly approval, as it would be limited in scope and duration.
With its commitment to global peace and regional stability, South Korea’s security alignment with the United States and potential monitoring role in Ukraine reinforce its dedication to international alliances and proactive diplomacy.
(With Inputs from Reuters)
