ABSTRACT
The rival Korean leaders saw strengthening of military establishment as essential to defense and as an instrument for eventual reunification of the nation. South Korea's vibrant economy and its strengthened military forces made it a prime target for application of the doctrine. North Korea has pointed to US operational control over South Korean military forces as conclusive evidence that the government of Republic of Korea is a puppet of the United States. Large infusions of US military aid helped to transform the South Korean military into a modem and effective fighting force. Rapid growth in the South Korean economy enabled the government to finance military expenditures almost entirely from its own resources. The presence of US forces and the massive influx of military aid had provided a sense of security that allowed them to concentrate much of their energy and resources on stimulating economic growth. To the governments of the two Koreas, military confrontation has been central, dialogue peripheral.
