Reflections on the Korean War and Current U.S.-South Korea Relations
The phrase “lest we forget” has echoed through the ages, reminding us to think about history and memory. If we look at headlines from different times—some bittersweet, others a bit bitter—we can see a thread that connects them all.
For instance, on September 16, 1950, a New York Times article shared a heart-wrenching story: “Dad’s Letter Tells Two Little Girls Why He Went to Korea — And Died.” Fast forward to this year, and the U.S. House Judiciary Committee has a headline about South Korea’s discriminatory practices against American businesses.
This article from 76 years ago tells the story of Private First Class John J. McCormick from Pennsylvania. In a letter to his wife and children, he expressed the need to fight against “bad men” during his deployment to Korea. His touching words still resonate today: “It might take a long while, and maybe Daddy will have to go and help God up in Heaven.” Tragically, McCormick was killed in action just weeks later on August 10.
Now, looking at the present, the 2026 headline points to real issues: South Korea’s continuous political maneuvering against U.S. companies. At a recent Washington, D.C. conference, Matt Mowers, the head of the US-Asia Fair Market Alliance, commented on trade practices, rating South Korea as the second worst, only behind China.
During the discussion, Mowers cited two American companies, Meta and Coupang, that have felt the effects of this hostility. Trump administration officials present at the event indicated that South Korea’s anti-American regulations seem to be extensive—almost systemic. It’s hard not to ponder how those who fought in the Korean War would feel about these developments, especially considering the significant losses: 1.8 million Americans served, and 36,574 sacrificed their lives.
Interestingly, on that same September day in 1950, readers learned about a significant military operation that liberated Seoul from North Korean control. Just three months earlier, North Korea had invaded, nearly overrunning the south. President Harry Truman was under intense domestic pressure, but he committed U.S. troops to intervene.
The pivotal moment arrived on September 15, 1950, with Operation Chromite, where 40,000 U.S. soldiers executed a bold amphibious landing at Inchon, effectively flanking the North Korean forces. Military historian Sir Max Hastings described Inchon as a testament to boldness and ingenuity, particularly praising General Douglas MacArthur’s leadership.
However, the situation deteriorated further as Chinese military units intervened, adding around three million troops to the fight for North Korea. An armistice came in 1953, but it was more of a pause in hostilities rather than a true peace agreement.
Since then, the U.S. has maintained a significant military presence in South Korea, currently hosting over 28,000 troops. This commitment costs nearly $6 billion each year, according to the Center for International Policy. Despite the armistice, American lives have still been lost through North Korean aggression—many incidents involving downed aircraft and attacks on U.S. personnel. Over 80 years, nearly 100 service members have been killed due to North Korean actions, with China backing the regime.
That brings us to the current dynamic: it’s puzzling to see South Korea shifting away from the U.S. and leaning towards China. It’s not that South Korea doesn’t owe a debt to the U.S.—there’s definitely an acknowledgment of support—but the reality is that North Korea and China remain ongoing threats to South Korea.
Seoul appears to want to maintain the U.S. military presence while simultaneously navigating pro-China stances in business. This balancing act—remaining pro-American militarily, while showing favor to China economically—doesn’t seem viable in the long run.
Research by Mowers’ group shows that 78% of Americans expect their government to safeguard U.S. interests abroad. “This data sends an unmistakable message,” he stated. “Americans expect a level playing field, and they expect our government to defend it.”
The Korean conflict is often dubbed the forgotten war, yet we should commemorate it by honoring those Americans who served and sacrificed. Furthermore, it’s crucial to ensure that the economic interests of their families are protected by advocating for fairness in U.S.-South Korean relations.
