South Korea must do much more to support the U.S. and defend itself

The recent tariff agreement between South Korea and the United States was reached with much fanfare. For many Koreans, it brought relief — but also confusion. How could the KORUS Free Trade Agreement, once hailed as a symbol of enduring bilateral cooperation, be set aside so easily? That question reflects a deeper reality: alliances, no matter how long-lived, are never immune to political winds or shifting national interests. We must take this reality with maturity. The U.S.-ROK alliance, built on shared values and bloodshed during the Korean War, has endured for over seven decades. Yet today, the United States is a country under immense internal pressure. The American people — whom we admire and owe a deep debt of gratitude — are increasingly burdened by global responsibilities that many now believe are unfairly distributed. Exploited by adversaries and taken for granted by allies, Americans have had enough. Social discontent is rising. Economic disparities are growing. Political polarization has paralyzed governance. Amid these challenges, Americans are questioning why they musWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times