서강대학교

목차

Although ROK-U.S. alliance has existed for almost half a century, it does not mean that the alliance has always been free of problems. The purpose of this study is to analyze the main reason for the fracture in the ROK？.S. alliance. In this thesis, I argue that differing perceptions among policymakers of the ROK and the USA regarding common threats, and their different foreign policy choices according to these threat perceptions lead to the friction between the alliance between ROK and the USA. To validate this argument, I present an analysis of four periods from the Cold War to the end of the Cold War. During the Nixon and Carter periods, there were increased strains in the ROK？.S. relationship as the two countries had differing perception of common threats, such as the Soviet Union, China and North Korea, and their options were different. The terms of the Reagan and Chun Doo Hwan governments were characterized with increased cooperation, as both governments had similar perceptions and options toward common threats. After the end of the Cold War, North Korea instigated a nuclear crisis. In this period, the Clinton government and the Kim Dae Jung government had similar perception toward the nature of the North Korean threat and policy options such as ？oft landing policy？ and ？unshine policy,？ and the ROK？.S. alliance did not show much friction. However, as George W. Bush government and Roh Moo Hyun government had different threat perception concerning the nature of the North Korean threat, fracturing heightened in the ROK？.S. alliance, which continues to be true in the present. Therefore, to alleviate this condition, policy makers in South Korea and the USA should have a similar perception of common threats and should have similar policy options accompanying this perception.