Comparative Connections v.12 n.2 - US-Korea Relations

The quarter saw a series of major events in US-ROK relations. The North Korean torpedo attack on the ROK warship intensified tensions and blasted hopes for resumption of the Six-Party Talks. Meanwhile, the US-ROK alliance was at its zenith as the US showed solidarity with South Korea and put pressure on China to support a strong UN Security Council measure denouncing the attack. Presidents Lee and Obama announced a delay in transfer of wartime operational control and Obama called for ratification of the KORUS FTA. Though these two developments were not a direct result of the Cheonan sinking, they were influenced by a common desire to show strong, deep partnership in the face of North Korean threats, and perhaps more important, by a personal chemistry between the two leaders.