15th EAI Korea-US Relations Conference Papers

This is a collection of papers. Quotation and reprinting are prohibited without the consent of EAI and the authors.

1. The 21st Century U.S. Alliance Order Initiative: A Historical Perspective / Ma Sang-yun (The Catholic University of Korea)
2. Obama's Foreign and Security Policy Stance and Key Agendas / Lee Sang-hyun (Sejong Institute)
3. Prospects for the Obama Administration's Security Strategy: Pledges and Reality / Lee Dong-sun (Korea University)
4. The Obama Administration's East Asia and Korean Peninsula Policy / Shin Sung-ho (Seoul National University)

U.S. Next Administration's Foreign and Security Strategy and the Korean Peninsula

Ha Young-sun, Chair of the EAI National Security Panel / Department of Diplomacy, Seoul National University

The United States has entered a new era of 'change.' The inauguration of the Obama administration heralds not only changes within American society but also shifts in the international community, including the global economy, alliances, and security. What form will this 'change' take? Will it be a break from the previous Bush administration? Will it be a comprehensive transformation across all sectors such as politics, economy, and society? Which areas will be the focus of change, and to what extent? Will some aspects be relatively neglected? To forecast the course of the 'American ship' under the new helmsman, the Obama administration, we must pay attention to the current state of American society: the 'economic crisis.' In response to the exit poll question, "What was the most significant factor in your vote?", 60% of Americans answered 'economy.' Following that, 'the Iraq War,' 'terrorism,' and 'healthcare insurance' each accounted for about 10%. Therefore, when looking ahead to the Obama administration and forecasting Korea-U.S. relations, this '6:1:1:1' structure must be considered centrally. The reconstruction of American society, beginning with the 'economy,' will ultimately lead to a re-evaluation of America's role and standing in the international community. This, in turn, will manifest as changes in foreign policy and security strategy. Timely response to this is a matter of survival for Korea. However, mere 'promptness' is not sufficient. A response that lacks substance, such as merely attempting to establish 'channels' with the Obama administration, is undesirable. What is crucial is the 'message' we can convey to the new American ship. To persuade a United States that operates strictly based on national interest and guide it in a desirable direction, the content we present must be compelling. With this perspective, the EAI National Security Panel has prepared a policy report on the theme of 'U.S. Next Administration's Foreign and Security Strategy and the Korean Peninsula.' This report aims to present desirable policy alternatives through an in-depth analysis encompassing the history, present, and future of the United States.