Current Korea

Korea-US Relations of 140 Years and Beyond

Enduring Commitment

2022 is a meaningful year for South Korea in many ways, one of which is that the year marks the 140th anniversary of the nation¡¯s diplomatic relations with its biggest ally: the U.S.

In 1882, Korea¡¯s Joseon Dynasty and the U.S. established diplomatic relations under the Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce, and Navigation. Since then, the diplomatic ties of 140 years have been a strong fortress that defended the nation against external security threats, especially from North Korea. When the North invaded South Korea in 1950, a U.N. coalition of 16 countries, led by the U.S., fought for the South.

The bilateral relationship has also been a strong foundation which buttressed the nation¡¯s economic growth and prosperity based on liberal democracy and the market economy. Trade and investment ties have become an increasingly important aspect of the bilateral relationship, including through implementation of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, or KORUS FTA, which has created many decent jobs and promoted investment in both countries.

In recent years, the alliance has expanded into a deep, comprehensive global partnership, as evident most recently when both sides collaborated to respond to COVID-19. When the unprecedented pandemic hit the world, Korea donated essential medical supplies, including protective masks and test kits, to the U.S. Also, experts and policymakers of both nations regularly shared best practices on fighting the pandemic.

Stronger Than Ever

Under the incumbent Korean government led by President Yoon Suk Yeol, Seoul-Washington ties are stronger than before. This is evident in Yoon¡¯s key foreign policies that are geared toward further enhancing the nation¡¯s alliance with Washington in dealing with global threats, including war, North Korea and climate change.

Every time the two leaders have met—when U.S. President Joe Biden visited Seoul in May and when they met in Spain for the NATO summit in June, and then in New York for the U.N. meeting in September—they never forgot to reaffirm the countries¡¯ enduring commitment to the robust alliance and to seek a new future.

For the U.S. government, Korea is an important strategic partner, especially as the nation¡¯s role continues to grow as a regional and global leader. ¡°The emergence of Korea as a global leader has also led to an increasingly dynamic Korea-U.S. alliance focused on future-oriented partnership opportunities including space, energy, health, climate change and cyber,¡± announced the U.S. Department of State in its Bilateral Relations Fact Sheet in 2020.

Underscoring the strength of the alliance, resident Biden looks forward to further expanding close cooperation, and his intent was evident when he flew to Seoul to meet with newly elected Yoon in May right after his presidential inauguration.

¡°We Go Together¡±

Celebrating the 140th anniversary of the diplomatic ties, the governments of Korea and the U.S. have hosted a variety of events aimed to boost bilateral understanding and exchanges in many areas.

Among others, many cultural events did and will continue to take place in the U.S., showcasing to American citizens traditional Korean performances of percussion music, K-pop, a taekwondo demonstration and more. A combined culture and arts groups from both countries performed together as well, signaling, once again, the stronger-than-ever cooperation between the two nations.

¡°The presidents of both countries proposed a future blueprint for upgrading the Korea-U.S. alliance as a global comprehensive strategic alliance. Culture is the foundation for the completion of this blueprint through close means,¡± said Korean Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo Gyoon at the 2022 Korean Cultural Festival held in Washington last month.

The future blueprint that the culture minister stated is being actively designed and implemented by the Korean and U.S. governments looking for a stronger, enduring alliance for the next years to come.

¡°The bond between South Korea and the U.S. will grow even deeper. The cooperation between our two nations will become only stronger,¡± Yoon said in May when he met the visiting U.S. leader in Seoul. ¡°We go together.¡±