Can South Korea Trust the United States?

Yeo analyzes potential gaps in the US-South Korea alliance, specifically focusing on economic statecraft and nuclear security. The durability of the alliance is attributed to common interests, threat perceptions, institutional ties, and shared values, which help overcome trust issues in the long term. However, the Biden administration must address South Korean economic concerns and demonstrate its commitment to ideas like "friend-shoring" by establishing supply chain alliances that benefit both countries. Additionally, the US needs to reassure Seoul on extended deterrence and discourage future South Korean governments from pursuing nuclear ambitions. The way the US handles security assurances and economic negotiations with South Korea will be closely observed by other Indo-Pacific allies and partners.