ABSTRACT
The alliance between the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States has been one of the most successful examples of security cooperation in modern times. There is a sense that events are leading to some new decisions-that both countries would like to bring their cooperation more in line with the realities of the times. But both sides are cautious. The United States obtained the cooperation of President Syngman Rhee. Part of the bargain was an alliance in which the United States committed itself to consult with the ROK on responding to any invasion of the South, and Korea placed its forces under the operational control of the United Nations commander. Security cooperation between the ROK and the United States began with the provision of training and logistic support to the newly formed ROK armed forces at the end of World War II. There are several important observations about United States security assistance to Korea.
