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{{Infobox Bilateral relations|South Korea–United States|South Korea|United States|filetype=svg}} |
{{Infobox Bilateral relations|South Korea–United States|South Korea|United States|filetype=svg}} |
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'''South Korea–United States relations''' have existed since the 19th century, when American traders wanted to open Korea up to Western trade, [[Sinmiyangyo|even using violence to do so]]. The [[United States]] did trade with Korea for a while, but agreed that [[Japan]] could annex Korea, and [[Korea under Japanese rule|it did]], until [[World War II]] when Japan and the United States fought on opposing sides, with it, the United States, and the [[Soviet Union]] vying for the Korean colony upon [[Surrender of Japan|Japan's inevitable demise]]. |
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'''South Korea–United States relations''' have been most extensive since 1948, when the [[United States]] helped establish capitalism in [[South Korea]] and fought on its [[UN]]-sponsored side in the [[Korean War]] (1950–1953). During the subsequent four decades, South Korea experienced tremendous [[Economy of South Korea|economic]], [[Politics of South Korea|political]] and [[Military of South Korea|military]] growth, and significantly reduced US dependency. From [[Roh Tae-woo]]'s administration to [[Roh Moo Hyun]]'s administration, South Korea sought to establish an American partnership, which has made the [[Seoul]]-[[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] relationship subject to some strains. However, relations between the United States and South Korea have greatly strengthened under the [[Lee Myung-bak]] administration. At the [[2009 G-20 London summit]], U.S. President [[Barack Obama]] called South Korea "one of America's closest allies and greatest friends." <ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0402/p99s01-duts.html</ref> South Korea and the United States have maintained strong ties. According to American think tank organization [[Pew Research Center]], South Korea has one of the most favorable views towards the US country and people. (ranked within top 4 among the countries in the world) <ref>[http://pewglobal.org/database/?indicator=1&mode=map Opinion of the United States] 2009 Pew Research Center</ref><ref>[http://pewglobal.org/database/?indicator=2&mode=map Opinion of Americans] 2009 Pew Research Center</ref> Also, according to a Korean [[The Gallup Organization|gallup]] poll, South Korea views the US as the most favorable country amongst the countries in the world.<ref>[http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2008/03/05/2008030500047.html "한국에 긍정적 영향을 미친 국가는 미국 " 80.7% (80.7% Korean think US gave most positive influence to Korea)]{{ko}}</ref> |
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After World War II, the United States occupied the southern half of Korea and the Soviet Union the [[North Korea|northern half]]. Both sides claimed sovereignty over each other, but after the [[Korean War]] in which the U.S. fought for South Korea, the existing [[Korean Demilitarized Zone|borders were reaffirmed]] as permanent. The United States maintains 30,000 troops in South Korea today, though their [[Anti-American sentiment in Korea|presence is controversial]], and tensions having to do with the troops' race, their [[#Environmental degradation|impact on the environment]], and [[US beef imports in South Korea|trade with the U.S.]] still haunts the relationship. |
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== Historical background == |
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== Early Korea == |
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[[Image:Koreans who died in fighting in Gwanseong Garrison, 1871.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Koreans [[United States expedition to Korea|died to keep Korea isolated]] against the United States]] |
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Until 1945, when Korea was divided into South and North, the history of South Korea-United States relations is the history of Korea-United States relations. |
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=== Joseon Dynasty === |
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In the mid-19th century, Korea closed its borders to Western trade. In the [[General Sherman Incident]], Korean forces attacked a U.S. merchant ship sent to negotiate a trade treaty and killed its crew, after it defied instructions from Korean officials. A U.S. retribution attack, the [[Sinmiyangyo]], followed. |
In the mid-19th century, Korea closed its borders to Western trade. In the [[General Sherman Incident]], Korean forces attacked a U.S. merchant ship sent to negotiate a trade treaty and killed its crew, after it defied instructions from Korean officials. A U.S. retribution attack, the [[Sinmiyangyo]], followed. |
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Korea and the U.S. ultimately established trade relations in 1882. Relations soured again when the U.S. negotiated peace in the [[Russo-Japanese War]]. In 1905, [[Japan]] persuaded the U.S. to accept Korea as part of Japan's [[sphere of influence]], and the U.S. did not protest when Japan annexed Korea five years later |
Korea and the U.S. ultimately established trade relations in 1882. Relations soured again when the U.S. negotiated peace in the [[Russo-Japanese War]]. In 1905, [[Japan]] persuaded the U.S. to accept Korea as part of Japan's [[sphere of influence]], and the U.S. did not protest when Japan annexed Korea five years later. |
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=== Japanese occupation === |
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Korean nationalists petitioned the U.S. to support their cause at the [[Versailles Treaty]] conference under [[Woodrow Wilson]]'s principle of national self-determination, without success. |
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=== Independence and division === |
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[[File:Atom bomb test 1951.jpg|100px|thumb|right|President Truman threatened to use atomic bombs in Korea]] |
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⚫ | |||
The U.S. divided Korea after [[World War II]] along the [[38th parallel north|38th parallel]], intending it as a temporary measure. However, the breakdown of negotiations between the United States and [[People's Republic of China]] prevented a reunification. |
The U.S. divided Korea after [[World War II]] along the [[38th parallel north|38th parallel]], intending it as a temporary measure. However, the breakdown of negotiations between the United States and [[People's Republic of China]] prevented a reunification. |
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=== Korean War === |
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⚫ | |||
{{see also|No Gun Ri Massacre}} |
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When the Soviet-supported government of Korea in [[Pyongyang]] [[Korean War|decided to invade]] the American-supported government in [[Seoul]], the United States quickly moved to save the southern half of the peninsula. However, Communist revolutionaries had support in South Korea. The [[7th Cavalry Regiment (United States)|7th Calvary Regiment of the United States]] helped the anticommunist government by killing 400 civilians in the suspected dissident stronghold village of [[No Gun Ri]], thereby ensuring ideological conformity. |
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== Modern South Korea == |
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[[Image:080511 ROK Protest Against US Beef Agreement by hojusaram.jpg|100px|thumb|right|A South Korean speaks out against U.S. beef imports]] |
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The United States supported South Korea after 1945 as a "staunch bastion against communism", even when it was ruled by a dictatorship.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19760501&id=NKgfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WtYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1191,19563|title=South Korea's leader Communism's best ally?|date=1976-05-01|accessdate=2010-04-10|publisher=[[The Gadsden Times]]|first=Eugene|last=Stockwell}}</ref> However, the relationship has not been without problems. |
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=== Racism === |
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A focal point of tensions between the United States and South Korea is Korean racism. A homogeneous country, American troops were most Koreans' first experience with non-Asian people, and this created "a mix of envy and loathing" of white Americans.<ref name=race>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/world/asia/02race.html|title=South Koreans Struggle With Race|date=2009-11-01|accessdate=2010-04-10|first=Choe|last=Sang-Hun|publisher=[[New York Times]]}}</ref> |
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After the Korean War, women who had sex with American GIs were despised, and their children are called names reserved for animals.<ref name=race/> Newspapers sensationalize stories of American English teachers committing sex crimes against Korean girls and women, and teachers have been forced to submit to HIV tests and deported.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/24/world/fg-korea-teach24|title=Trying to teach South Korea about discrimination|date=2009-02-24|accessdate=2010-04-10|first=John|last=Glionna|publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> |
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=== Environmental degradation === |
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On February 9, 2000, the Eighth US Army Division ordered 20 boxes of [[formaldehyde]], a toxic fluid, into the [[Han River (Korea)|Han River]]. Korean environmentalist groups protested that it could be harmful to aquatic life forms, but the U.S. military insisted that it was diluted with water.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://green-korea.tistory.com/74|publisher=Green Society|date=2002-09-01|accessdate=2010-04-10|title=The Eighth US Army Division Discharged Toxic Fluid (Formaldehyde) into the Han-River}}</ref> This incident was satirized in the 2006 South Korean [[monster film]] [[The Host (film)|The Host]], where a horrible mutated monster from the river menaces the inhabitants of Seoul.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=2006-09-07T064102Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-266323-1.xml | title=South Korean movie monster gobbles up box office | author=Jon Herskovitz | work=Reuters | date=2006-09-07 | accessdate=2006-11-02}}</ref> |
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=== Beef controversy === |
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{{main article|US beef imports in South Korea}} |
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The Government of South Korea banned imports of US beef in 2003 in response to a case of mad cow disease in Washington. The protests against U.S. beef recalled the student "pro-democracy" movements of the 1980s. |
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==Security== |
==Security== |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* [http://countrystudies.us/south-korea/76.htm countrystudies.us] |
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* [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2800.htm#relations US Department of State] |
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{{Foreign relations of South Korea}} |
{{Foreign relations of South Korea}} |
Revision as of 10:24, 17 April 2010
![]() | |
![]() South Korea |
![]() United States |
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South Korea–United States relations have existed since the 19th century, when American traders wanted to open Korea up to Western trade, even using violence to do so. The United States did trade with Korea for a while, but agreed that Japan could annex Korea, and it did, until World War II when Japan and the United States fought on opposing sides, with it, the United States, and the Soviet Union vying for the Korean colony upon Japan's inevitable demise.
After World War II, the United States occupied the southern half of Korea and the Soviet Union the northern half. Both sides claimed sovereignty over each other, but after the Korean War in which the U.S. fought for South Korea, the existing borders were reaffirmed as permanent. The United States maintains 30,000 troops in South Korea today, though their presence is controversial, and tensions having to do with the troops' race, their impact on the environment, and trade with the U.S. still haunts the relationship.
Early Korea
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Koreans_who_died_in_fighting_in_Gwanseong_Garrison%2C_1871.jpg/150px-Koreans_who_died_in_fighting_in_Gwanseong_Garrison%2C_1871.jpg)
Until 1945, when Korea was divided into South and North, the history of South Korea-United States relations is the history of Korea-United States relations.
Joseon Dynasty
In the mid-19th century, Korea closed its borders to Western trade. In the General Sherman Incident, Korean forces attacked a U.S. merchant ship sent to negotiate a trade treaty and killed its crew, after it defied instructions from Korean officials. A U.S. retribution attack, the Sinmiyangyo, followed.
Korea and the U.S. ultimately established trade relations in 1882. Relations soured again when the U.S. negotiated peace in the Russo-Japanese War. In 1905, Japan persuaded the U.S. to accept Korea as part of Japan's sphere of influence, and the U.S. did not protest when Japan annexed Korea five years later.
Japanese occupation
Korean nationalists petitioned the U.S. to support their cause at the Versailles Treaty conference under Woodrow Wilson's principle of national self-determination, without success.
Independence and division
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Exercise_Desert_Rock_I_%28Buster-Jangle_Dog%29_003.jpg/100px-Exercise_Desert_Rock_I_%28Buster-Jangle_Dog%29_003.jpg)
The U.S. divided Korea after World War II along the 38th parallel, intending it as a temporary measure. However, the breakdown of negotiations between the United States and People's Republic of China prevented a reunification.
Korean War
When the Soviet-supported government of Korea in Pyongyang decided to invade the American-supported government in Seoul, the United States quickly moved to save the southern half of the peninsula. However, Communist revolutionaries had support in South Korea. The 7th Calvary Regiment of the United States helped the anticommunist government by killing 400 civilians in the suspected dissident stronghold village of No Gun Ri, thereby ensuring ideological conformity.
Modern South Korea
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/080511_ROK_Protest_Against_US_Beef_Agreement_by_hojusaram.jpg/100px-080511_ROK_Protest_Against_US_Beef_Agreement_by_hojusaram.jpg)
The United States supported South Korea after 1945 as a "staunch bastion against communism", even when it was ruled by a dictatorship.[1] However, the relationship has not been without problems.
Racism
A focal point of tensions between the United States and South Korea is Korean racism. A homogeneous country, American troops were most Koreans' first experience with non-Asian people, and this created "a mix of envy and loathing" of white Americans.[2]
After the Korean War, women who had sex with American GIs were despised, and their children are called names reserved for animals.[2] Newspapers sensationalize stories of American English teachers committing sex crimes against Korean girls and women, and teachers have been forced to submit to HIV tests and deported.[3]
Environmental degradation
On February 9, 2000, the Eighth US Army Division ordered 20 boxes of formaldehyde, a toxic fluid, into the Han River. Korean environmentalist groups protested that it could be harmful to aquatic life forms, but the U.S. military insisted that it was diluted with water.[4] This incident was satirized in the 2006 South Korean monster film The Host, where a horrible mutated monster from the river menaces the inhabitants of Seoul.[5]
Beef controversy
The Government of South Korea banned imports of US beef in 2003 in response to a case of mad cow disease in Washington. The protests against U.S. beef recalled the student "pro-democracy" movements of the 1980s.
Security
Diplomats in both countries maintain that the roughly 29,000 United States Forces Korea troops should remain in South Korea as long as Seoul wants them. Not only did 94 percent of South Koreans (at its highest) support the presence of the forces, but even the vocal opposition parties favored a continued U.S. Military presence in South Korea. Stability in the Korean peninsula, they argued, had been maintained because strong Seoul-Washington military cooperation deterred further aggression.
Other policymakers felt that American troops should gradually be leaving the country. They argued that South Korea in the late 1980s was more capable of coping with North Korea which has a far smaller economy. In Washington, meanwhile, an increasing number of United States politicians advocated troop withdrawal for budgetary reasons. The consultations on restructuring the Washington-Seoul security relationship held during Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney's February 1990 visit to South Korea marked the beginning of the change in status of U.S. forces - from a leading to a supporting role in the country's defense.
See also
- List of Korea-related topics
- Politics of South Korea
- Foreign relations of South Korea
- Foreign relations of the United States
- North Korean-American relations
- U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement
References
- ^ Stockwell, Eugene (1976-05-01). "South Korea's leader Communism's best ally?". The Gadsden Times. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
- ^ a b Sang-Hun, Choe (2009-11-01). "South Koreans Struggle With Race". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
- ^ Glionna, John (2009-02-24). "Trying to teach South Korea about discrimination". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
- ^ "The Eighth US Army Division Discharged Toxic Fluid (Formaldehyde) into the Han-River". Green Society. 2002-09-01. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
- ^ Jon Herskovitz (2006-09-07). "South Korean movie monster gobbles up box office". Reuters. Retrieved 2006-11-02.