The Korea-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty and Modernization of the Korean Military
Learn about the Republic of Korea-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty and its impact on the Korean military's modernization through the national archives
ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty Signing Ceremony (1953) by Ministry of National DefenseNational Archives of Korea
After the Korean Armistice Agreement, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States (U.S.) signed the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty to establish a strong military alliance in preparation for a potential invasion from North Korea.
President Syngman Rhee Conversing with U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles (1953) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty Signing Ceremony
The ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty officially took effect on November 17, 1954, after the exchange of ratification documents.
ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty Preamble & Article 1 of ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty (1953) by Ministry of Foreign AffairsNational Archives of Korea
ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty
The ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty consists of a preamble and six articles.
Article 1 calls for resolving disputes through peaceful means.
ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty Article 2, 3, 4, 5 of ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty (1953) by Ministry of Foreign AffairsNational Archives of Korea
Article 2 requires mutual consultation and cooperation during times of conflict, and Article 3 defines the procedures for these consultations.
Article 4 allows the U.S. to station its military forces in the ROK, and Article 5 outlines the treaty’s ratification process and how it would come into effect.
ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty Article 6 and Signatures of the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty (1953) by Ministry of Foreign AffairsNational Archives of Korea
Article 6 declares that the treaty remains in effect indefinitely, as long as both nations agree.
ROK-U.S. Joint Amphibious Operation (Operation Turtle) (1959) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
Since the Korean War, the ROK and the U.S. have conducted various joint military exercises.
Modernization of the ROK Forces (UN Commander Press Conference) (1966) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
In 1966, the U.S. promised financial and equipment support to modernize the ROK military.
Delivery of U.S. M48 Tanks for ROK Military Modernization (1966) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
This image shows the new M48 tanks delivered to the ROK forces as part of the 1966 U.S. military assistance program.
Inaugural Ceremony of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC) (1978) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
The Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States (U.S.) established the Combined Forces Command (CFC) to improve joint operational efficiency.
U.S. Armored Vehicles Participating in Team Spirit Training (1978) by Ministry of Culture and Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
The Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States (U.S.) continue to conduct a variety of joint military exercises.
From the outbreak of the Korean War to the signing the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty. Learn about the UN forces involvement in the Korean War and take a look at the story about the U.S. and UN aid and medical support.
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