The alliance between USA & Korea is based on the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Republic of Korea and the United States of America, which reflects the First President Syngman Rhee‘s strong determination to secure U.S. guarantees against the threat of a renewed invasion from North Korea, both before and after the signing of the Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953, that ended the Korean War. Over time, the Mutual Defense Treaty evolved into the Korea-U.S. alliance, giving birth to the Combined Forces Command, which has since been the cornerstone of security on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.

While Koreans’ commitment to education and hard work played a significant role, the stable stationing of U.S. Forces Korea through the Korea-U.S. alliance was critical in enabling South Korea to grow into the world’s 10th largest economy.

Today, Korea’s semiconductor, ship building, and automotive industries play crucial roles in the global economy, and K-series trendsetting, represented by K-pop groups like BTS and Blackpink, resonates with young people worldwide. However, there are still groups and individuals who, by stirring anti-American sentiments, seek to weaken the Korea-U.S. alliance for political purposes, using it as a means to maintain their own power. These groups mislead the public and place the alliance in jeopardy.

In 2011 and 2022, we lost the late Chairman Lim Cheong-Geun(English name of Dr. Chuck Rheem), whose patriotism and dedication helped forge a sisterhood with the 4.5 million-strong Combined Korea -USA Veterans Association. The US & Korea Alliance Association was established to uphold this critical mission and address the national security threats and risks to public safety caused by attempts to sever the unbreakable blood bond between the United States and Korea.

Whenever political, social, or military conflicts threaten the Korea-U.S. alliance, the Korea-U.S. Alliance Association has maintained close dialogues with U.S. presidents and senators to ensure the steadfast continuation of the alliance between our two nations’ armed forces.

Each year, the US & Korea Alliance Association hosts events honoring U.S. veterans of the Korean War and their families, and it provides opportunities for middle and high school students, as well as university students, to engage in activities that deepen their understanding of the alliance. These initiatives not only reaffirm their identity as Koreans but also pass on the historical mission with the importance of alliance of Korea-USA alliance and propagate the alliance throughout the world countries from a generation to another generation.

Moving forward, the US & Korea Alliance Association will continue to serve as a bridge, fostering economic, social, and cultural exchanges between those born after the Korean War who may not have directly experienced it and the enduring historical significance of the Korea-U.S. alliance.