Korean Unification and After: U.S. Policy Toward a Unified Korea

Though North Korea has survived longer than many expected, its fate remains uncertain. At any time it could collapse. The United States and its allies thus need to be ready to adapt to a post-North Korea world. The critical question for the United States is the future of its military forces in Korea and Japan. Unification, or any significant lowering of the North Korean threat, could lead the United States to cut its military presence in Asia. This book presents the arguments in favor and against a continued long-term U.S. military presence in Korea and Asia and explores different possible force structures for U.S. forces after unification. It concludes by explaining that after Korean unification the United States military deployment in Korea and Japan, including a large ground component, is vital for the security of the region.