(EDITORIAL from The Korea Herald on Oct. 15)

The Korea Herald editorial of October 15 highlights a significant rift in the South Korea-US alliance, emphasizing that there are critical issues that cannot be ignored. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, while stating there is no issue with the alliance, rejected Washington's assessment that his remarks about nuclear facilities in North Korea's Kusong had leaked classified US intelligence. Instead, Chung called it a "misunderstanding," insisting the US was wrong.

However, Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha expressed frustration, noting the lack of high-level consultations between the two nations, which she termed frustrating. Intelligence cooperation was identified as a major challenge by both the ambassador and President Lee Jae Myung during a Cabinet meeting. Lee stressed the importance of South Korea being a sovereign, independent nation, but warned against taking a submissive and subservient stance.

Historically, the US has deployed nearly 1.8 million troops to South Korea during the Korean War, with over 36,000 losing their lives. Currently, more than 28,000 US troops remain in the country, and South Korea heavily relies on US extended deterrence, including the nuclear umbrella, to counter North Korea's threat. The intelligence and military cooperation between the two nations depend on mutual trust; any curtailment of intelligence sharing is seen as a troubling signal of eroded confidence.

The editorial concludes by urging the South Korean government to act swiftly to restore trust and resolve the intelligence-sharing dispute through concrete confidence-building measures. This includes reviewing personnel arrangements and reassuring Washington that Seoul takes the alliance seriously, not as submission, but as an act of protecting national interests.