Abstract
In June 2009, Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Barack Obama concluded a “Joint Vision for the Alliance” that called for the ROK-U.S. relationship to be a “comprehensive strategic alliance of bilateral, regional, and global scope.” While the focus of the alliance remains deterring an attack from North Korea, increasingly Seoul and Washington are confronting a broader array of common challenges such as piracy, illegal fishing, human trafficking, and preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction that have a maritime dimension. Moreover, South Korea has undertaken a determined effort to expand and modernize its naval capabilities to build a blue water naval fleet. As a result, ROK-U.S. maritime cooperation has been growing and holds out an important opportunity for expanding and broadening the alliance.
PDF