WASHINGTON — U.S. lawmakers have loosened restrictions on military arms sales to South Korea, a largely symbolic move that labels the country a strategic ally on par with Japan and Australia.
The changes raise the amount of military equipment that can be sold to Korea before an automatic congressional review is triggered, and it mandates faster investigations once those reviews are begun. In addition, the moves are designed to encourage South Korea to give "favorable consideration" to the United States when looking to buy military equipment, according to the legislation.
South Korea has already been designated a major non-NATO ally by the United States and bought more than $6.9 billion in defense equipment through the U.S. foreign military sales program.
But Derek Mitchell, senior fellow for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the move is more significant for symbolic reasons than for actual business practicality.
"If Korea needed anything in the past, we would have found a way to get it to them," he said. "This is really to demonstrate that this alliance matters to both sides. For Korea to be considered in elite company sends a signal of how important we think they are."
Previously only Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Israel had received the recognition as U.S. allies on par with members of NATO. The changes, which came at the request of the South Korean government, were backed by the departments of Defense and State.
In a statement Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif, said the move gives the U.S.- South Korea relationship "the proper recognition it deserves after nearly 60 years of mutual cooperation."
Mitchell said the fact that Japan already receives the preferential treatment in regards to arms sales likely pushed the South Korean government to ask for the change.
"They’ve always compared themselves to Japan … and now, in the pantheon of U.S. allies, they’re up there," he said.
Mitchell said despite the largely symbolic nature of the changes, they change could net some practical benefits as both countries. Quicker sales could help shift more defense responsibilities onto South Korean forces, a goal for both governments in the last few years. President Bush is expected to sign the measure into law this week.
