Since 1953, the U.S.-Republic of Korea Alliance has been a guarantor of peace and prosperity in East Asia; now, it’s poised for a revamp. Against the backdrop of a dynamic security climate, DC and Seoul are advancing long-held discussions about further evolving the nature of their military partnership.  

Two issues could have outsized consequences for the future structure and posture of the Alliance. First, negotiations are underway on the next iteration of a cost sharing agreement for hosting American troops. Simultaneously, the allies have discussed principles for the eventual transfer of wartime operational control (commonly