An Analysis on Impact and Implication of the Termination of the US-South Korea Missile Guidelines

Park Hwee-rhak 

(hrpark5502@hanmail.net) 

Professor,

Kookmin University

English Abstract

South Korea and the U.S. lifted the Korea-U.S. Missile Guidelines at the summit in Washington on May 21, 2021—for the first time in 42 years. The termination is clearly a positive development, yet leaves room for reflection. In the past, South Korea's exaggerated intention to attack had led to such guidelines, and South Korea dogmatically approached the issue, instead of consulting with its allies. Unlike the general perception, the termination of the missile guidelines has little effect on North Korea's nuclear response capability.

It is time for South Korea to overcome its misunderstandings about missile guidelines and make efforts to prepare a nuclear response. South Korea must focus on acquiring defensive missiles and technology, not offensive missiles and technology. Nonetheless, the termination of the missile guidelines is still expected to have some effect on curbing China. 

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