The talk of the town in Seoul lingers around Trump's almost derogatory-like contempt for the value of the ROK-U.S. alliance. Should he get elected as the next president of the United States come November, a rift, if not rupture, may arise among the allies. Internal moves have been triggered by former President Donald Trump, who's seeking another chance at the post, and his former aides like Eldridge Colby, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and power development and Chris Miller, former interim secretary of defense.
They have been persistent in challenging the alliance's solidarity, integrity and core values. Questions like who should pay more to keep the alliance and why the U.S. should defend Korea are only vexing to those who deeply care about the strategic interests of the U.S. and its allies, let alone world peace and stability.
Against this background, it may be time for the U.S. Embassy in Korea to prepare for a long telegram like what George Kennan did some 70 years ago. A thorough yet striking, patriotic yet balanced recommendation should be delivered to Trump and his aides when and if he is elected. George Kennan's long telegram from his diplomatic compound in Moscow spoke volumes on how serving it can be to the motherland. Since then, we have not heard of such a daunting undertaking by an American embassy, a task that shaped the foundation of an American foreign policy that would be long-lasting with a sounding base.
There is not an alliance of America as unique as that with the Republic of Korea. Not for its military capacity or defense capability but for its geographical........