Leem Ho-young, president of the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation speaks during an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul, Sept. 13. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

The alliance between South Korea and the United States dates back to Oct. 1, 1953, when the two nations signed the Mutual Defense Treaty in the aftermath of the 1950-53 Korean War. Over the past seven decades, the bilateral pact has withstood the test of time, but not without challenges.

In particular, the 1970s was a time of change, when the U.S. reduced the United States Forces Korea (USFK) deployed here and reviewed further adjustments of troop levels. The idea of withdrawing U.S. troops was brought up again in 2018 by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who demanded more defense costs from South Korea.

"Alliances can break apart if the interests of both countries are not aligned. An alliance where one party benefits while the other does not, cannot last long," Leem Ho-young, president of the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation (KUSAF), said during a recent interview with The Korea Times. The retired four-star Army general and former deputy commander of the Combined Forces Command has been heading the foundation since May this year.

But in recent years, the shifting geopolitical landscape has underscored South Korea's strategic importance in the U.S.' global competition, particularly in its rivalry with China, making Seoul a valuable partner for Washington than ever before, Leem viewed.

"We should use this opportunity to bolster this win-win partnership. It is crucial for the U.S. to continue its commitment to deter North Korean threats, while South Korea should show full support for U.S.' key foreign policies such as the Indo-Pacific Strategy," he said.

This has been a milestone year for the South Korea-U.S. alliance which celebrates its 70th anniversary, according to Leem.

He stressed the importance of the Washington Declaration signed by Yoon and U.S. President Joe Biden in April, through which the two sides agreed to launch a Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), a joint body that will meet regularly to discuss nuclear and strategic planning.

"The extended deterrence provided by the U.S. is the best practical option for South Korea to deter the North's evolving threats."

However, as North Korea continues to advance its nuclear arsenal, there have been growing calls among the South Korean public and some politicians that the nation should acquire its own nuclear weapons.

Leem viewed that a nuclear-armed South Korea is not a feasible scenario for now.

"Developing our nuclear weapons is clearly a violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and it will result in huge international sanctions that will deal a heavy blow on our nation's export-oriented economy," he said.

But at the same time, he noted that Seoul should be prepared for a "worst-case scenario."

"At some point, there may come a time when the alliance with the U.S. becomes unstable and it may refuse to provide its nuclear umbrella. I'm not saying that we should go nuclear right now, but we should at least make efforts to shorten the 'lead time' needed in the development of nuclear weapons," he said.

In order to do so, the 2015 nuclear agreement signed with the U.S. needs to be updated and revised, he said. The treaty bans South Korea from enriching uranium and reprocessing spent fuel, the technologies used by countries such as North Korea to make nuclear weapons.

"Based on mutual trust, we should begin discussions with the U.S. and persuade them to lower our nuclear-related barrier similar to that of Japan," Leem said.

A graveside service for John Singlaub, former chief of staff for U.S. Forces in Korea, is held at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, Aug. 19 (local time). Newsis

Remembering fallen heroes

Formed in April 2017, the main goal of the KUSAF is to support the two nations in maintaining friendly ties by facilitating research, education and forums promoting alliance. It also funds the Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA), a Virginia-based nonprofit organization that advocates for the South Korea-U.S. alliance by supporting former and current military service members.

Another major role of the foundation is honoring the soldiers killed during and after the Korean War.

"The service of U.S. troops during the Korean War is widely appreciated and remembered among the (South) Korean public. Yet few people are aware about the sacrifices and contributions made by American soldiers after the war," said Leem, adding that his foundation is engaging in various projects to commemorate such soldiers.

Later this month, the KUSAF will establish a monument to John Singlaub, a former USFK chief of staff who served here in the 1970s. He was removed from his post in 1977 after openly criticizing then-U.S. President Jimmy Carter's plan to pull out American troops from the Korean Peninsula, saying that the withdrawal could lead to another North Korean invasion. He passed away in 2022 at the age of 100.

The foundation also plans to be build a memorial by 2025 for 92 U.S. soldiers who were killed during sporadic conflicts with the North after the signing of the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement, most of which occurred in the 1960s and 1970s.