In praise of Korean-American relations

As the United States of America approaches its 250th birthday next month, there are many kinds of columns written to celebrate two and a half centuries of life in pursuit of democracy, liberty and equality. Many choose to focus on aspects of the present in need of minor or major repair. My celebratory column will concern America’s friendship with South Korea.

It has been a blessing, forged of necessity in war but hewn and made more fundamental through over 70 years of cooperation. The people of the United States owe much to their friendships and alliances, in particular to the people of South Korea. The United States entered the 1950-53 Korean War after North Korea attacked South Korea on June 25, 1950.

Pushed all the way to Busan, the joint forces fought back and eventually established armistice boundaries along Panmunjeom. This place, featured in high-profile visits by recent South and North Korean Presidents and by Donald Trump, still marks the fact that the Korean War hasn’t concluded. This sobering fact occasions some comments about superpower relations.

We now somewhat regula