An Alliance: Protection & Economics Benefits - Essay Sample

Introduction

An alliance between countries helps in protection in case of an attack such that one country can defend the other politically or through military action. Alliances are common amongst many countries where they share military weapons and military intelligence. South Korea has an alliance with the United States. They offer military bases for the US to assess threats and in turn, the US protects South Korea from their northern enemies, North Korea. Alliances are also economically beneficial. A transpacific partnership between the two nations brought about regional cooperation, unimpeded commerce, and transparent infrastructure. Strengthening of the alliance between Korea and the United States means increased military and trade cooperation.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

The United States and South Korea's alliance has over the years helped American led security efforts in Northeast Asia. The major intention of this alliance is to manage the threat from North Korea. The United States also helps to keep a balance in the region by promoting stability, functionality, and democracy. The Republic of Korea is America's strategic and economic partner in Asia. America helps Korea defend itself through a defense treaty. There are US troops situated in South Korea that together with the Korean military assess the challenge of North Korea. There is a US-Korea free trade agreement that joins the economies of the two countries. China is Korea's largest trading partner followed by the United States. The alliance between the two nations has been beneficial to both of them for a long time until recent years. There have been strains in their relationship with Korea's increasing military capabilities. Strengthening their alliance is crucial to the peace agenda and the economic benefits. Strengthening the alliance means increased military cooperation and more trade agreements.

Strengthening the alliance between Korea and the United States is in line with the US foreign policy. The US administration seeks to put pressure on North Korea to stop its nuclear program and return to negotiations. The administration has even considered urging North Korea's biggest trading partner, China, to impose pressure on North Korea. There were recent nuclear missile tests with intercontinental range by North Korea that has put America in high alert and increased the urgency of a strengthened alliance with the Republic of Korea. However, the Republic of Korea differs with the United States on the sanctions posed on their northern counterparts. Korea wants to negotiate terms as neighboring countries while America might have a different agenda. The differences in opinion have caused strains in the alliance of the two nations.

There have been steps made towards strengthening the alliance between Korea and the US. The US has reformed the alliance by boosting Korea's defense capabilities and relocation of US troops on the Korean Peninsula. There is a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense in the Republic of Korea that can be deployed in case of an attack by North Korea. The initiative took time to be agreed between the two allies but was quickly agreed upon after the 2017 North Korea Missile test. In terms of trade, the free trade agreement between the two has seen improved market access. That is what it means by strengthening the alliance where they improve trade relations. The two countries share the same interests as far as security and trade are concerned and a strengthened alliance will seek to increase in the two sectors.