A Transactional Alliance in a Strategic Era: What the U.S.–ROK Fact Sheet Reveals
Key takeaways:- The new U.S.–ROK fact sheet reveals a highly transactional alliance, with economic deals and investment commitments taking precedence over traditional security guarantees.- While Washington reaffirmed extended deterrence and welcomed Seoul’s increased defense spending, major modernization issues — including strategic flexibility — remain ambiguous, even as the two sides explore politicall...
By
Andrew Yeo [Senior Fellow and SK-Korea Foundation Chair]
December 1, 2025