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World Today · Friday · 53 min

Panel: Has US-South Korea alliance become transactional?

An annual joint military exercise between the US and South Korea have been cut in half at Washington's request. Before the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise began, US President Donald Trump called for its reduction, citing his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as well as Seoul's lack of assistance with the Iran war. South Korea has been a US ally for more than 70 years. The two nations have a mutual defense treaty. Is Washington's decision dealing a blow to American alliance credibility? Host Ding Heng is joined by Peter Kuznick, Professor of History with American University; Keechang Kim, Professor of Law at Korea University; Professor Chen Yun with Fudan University, who is now a visiting scholar at Seoul National University.

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An annual joint military exercise between the US and South Korea have been cut in half at Washington's request. Before the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise began, US President Donald Trump called for its reduction, citing his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as well as Seoul's lack of assistance with the Iran war. South Korea has been a US ally for more than 70 years. The two nations have a mutual defense treaty.

Is Washington's decision dealing a blow to American alliance credibility? Host Ding Heng is joined by Peter Kuznick, Professor of History with American University; Keechang Kim, Professor of Law at Korea University; Professor Chen Yun with Fudan University, who is now a visiting scholar at Seoul National University.