US SOUTH-KOREAN RELATIONS - ISSUES AND OPTIONS

The United States and South Korea maintain a strong, multifaceted alli ance relationship that supports their mutual security, economic and po litical interests. Trends in the United States and South Korea nonethe less have prompted questioning and reassessment of important aspects o f the alliance relationship, especially by South Koreans. In the post- Cold War environment, US officials are looking for ways to adjust the costs and benefits of US foreign policy. Specifically, they expect Sou th Korea to bear more of the cost of the American forces in Korea, and to open its market more to US enterprises. South Koreans often press for adjustments in what they see as the continuing asymmetrical US-ROK relationship. In addition to seeking more US recognition of South Kor ean accomplishments and sensitivity to South Korean concerns, leaders in Seoul focus on several issues, including Concerns that the United S tates may reach agreements or take initiatives toward Pyongyang that w ould jeopardize South Korean interests; Perceived inequities in the St atus of Forces Agreement governing US forces in Korea, and over the la rge American military base structure in several South Korean localitie s; Complaints that US trade officials are unrelenting in their pressur e against restrictions in the South Korean market and fail to give due recognition to what South Korea has accomplished and to South Korean constraints. Some policymakers in Congress and elsewhere support an ap proach that emphasizes the need for South Koreans to bear more of the costs of their defense and remove obstacles and restrictions to free t rade and market access. Others are more cautious in applying US pressu re on such issues, judging that South Korean sensitivities and economi c, political, and security challenges warrant a more discreet policy a pproach, with pressure fur more burdensharing and market opening appli ed, if at all possible, in private. There are also policy approaches t hat highlight what the United States can do to help remedy strains in US-ROK relations without applying direct pressure on South Korean lead ers.