ABSTRACT
The deterrence of conflict in Korea must be the foremost objective of US policy there. Other objectives, such as economic development, democratization, and healthy economic relations between South Korea and the United States are important in their own right and may also contribute to deterring conflict, but the deterrence of conflict must be the prime objective because without peace none of the other objectives can be achieved. A mounting atmosphere of confrontation between the government and the opposition is likely in South Korea as 1988 approaches. The US government has long maintained that it favors progress toward a more democratic system in South Korea and has criticized repressive acts by the government, sometimes publicly, more often privately. As one of the world leaders in the pace of its economic growth, South Korea is well placed to continue its advance, provided no severe deterioration of world economic conditions occurs.
