OPINION:
“Now is the time for a summit between the two leaders.”
As we look toward the future of the Korean Peninsula and the broader Indo-Pacific, the Korea-U.S. alliance remains central to our security, stability and prosperity. This year, this alliance is being tested by growing threats but holds great potential for renewed cooperation.
The Korean Peninsula continues to be one of the most volatile parts of the world. North Korea is accelerating the development of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles and hypersonic systems, while deepening its military ties with Russia. Recent reports indicate that North Korean troops and weapons have been sent to support the war in Ukraine. Pyongyang’s continued missile launches and drone incursions near the Demilitarized Zone raise the risk of miscalculation and unintended conflict.
At the same time, China’s military buildup and increasingly assertive diplomacy are reshaping the regional security landscape. A recent example is the construction of a “fishing facility” in the West Sea, which many view as an effort to assert territorial control, echoing Beijing’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea. This is a clear challenge to the rules-based international order.
South Korea has responded decisively. We are modernizing our military forces by acquiring F-35 stealth fighters, upgrading preemptive strike capabilities and enhancing missile defense. Cyberdefense readiness is also being strengthened. Notably, combined military exercises with the United States remain robust, demonstrating our shared resolve and readiness. At the same time, trilateral cooperation with Japan is expanding, providing greater strategic depth to our collective deterrence posture.
Our new administration has reaffirmed that South Korea’s foreign and security policy remains firmly grounded in the Korea-U.S. alliance. President Lee Jae-myung has emphasized the importance of a strong defense posture, backed by the alliance, to deter North Korea’s growing threats while keeping the door open to dialogue. This balanced approach — deterrence through strength and diplomacy — reflects the principles of President Trump’s foreign policy, which prioritizes national interest and strategic clarity. A summit between Mr. Trump and Mr. Lee would offer a timely opportunity to deepen this alignment and address shared challenges.
The Korea-U.S. alliance is not only about defense. It is also an engine of economic growth. From 2020 to 2024, Korean companies invested more than $110 billion in the United States, supporting hundreds of thousands of American jobs. This economic partnership continues to expand into critical sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence and clean energy.
Public opinion in South Korea strongly supports the alliance. A recent survey shows that 96% of Koreans support maintaining the alliance, 71% support the current level of U.S. troop presence and 85.8% view the United States as South Korea’s most vital future partner. Significantly, 74.2% now consider the United States to be South Korea’s most important economic partner, surpassing China for the first time. Meanwhile, the perception of China as a security threat has increased from 64% to more than 71% in just one year.
South Korea’s strategic importance cannot be overstated. Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, aptly described South Korea as a “fixed aircraft carrier.” Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, the largest U.S. overseas military base, was built with more than 95% Korean funding. The U.S. 7th Air Force, based in Osan and Gunsan, plays a key role in maintaining regional air dominance. Any reduction in U.S. forces on the peninsula would send shock waves throughout the Indo-Pacific and embolden revisionist powers.
South Korea covers about half the cost of U.S. troop stationing. Given our economic strength and shared values, we should consider voluntarily assuming the full price, not because we are asked to but because we believe in the alliance and the principle of shared responsibility. Moreover, South Korea’s growing defense industry, especially in naval shipbuilding, armored systems and aerospace, offers tremendous opportunities for industrial cooperation with the United States.
The Korea-U.S. alliance is not a legacy of the past. It is a living, evolving partnership rooted in sacrifice and shared purpose. A timely summit between our two leaders would help resolve bilateral issues, reaffirm extended deterrence and set a bold course for the future.
We face real threats, but we also have real opportunities. We must stand united against common dangers and move toward a peaceful, prosperous and free Indo-Pacific.
• Maj. Gen. (retired) Shin, Kyoung Soo is the secretary-general of the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation and a former South Korean defense attache to the U.S.