Relations impacts and cp’s

***SOUTH KOREA**** Troops k US-ROK relations

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• US-South Korea relations high – AT: OPCOM delay
• KORUS FTA CP 1NC

***SOUTH KOREA**** Troops k US-ROK relations Troops are key to OPCON and US-ROK relations-withdrawal now would be a slap in the face Yonhap 6/30 [2010, US top military says delay of wartime command transfer to deter North Korea, lexis] SEOUL, June 30 (Yonhap) - South Korean and US forces are better positioned to deter and defeat any future North Korean provocations, the top US commander here said Wednesday [ 30 June], as the countries delayed Seoul's retaking of wartime operational control (OPCON) of its troops from Washington. At a summit in Toronto on Saturday (local time), President Lee Myung-bak [Yi Myo'ng-pak] and US President Barack Obama agreed to delay the transfer by three years to 2015 amid heightened tensions over Pyongyang's deadly sinking of a Seoul warship in March. "The result will make our allied forces more agile, adaptive and able to defeat North Korea across the spectrum of conflicts, including provocations, terrorism, aggressions and invasions," Gen. Walter Sharp told an audience at Yongsan Garrison, the main US military headquarters in central Seoul. Sharp made the remarks at a farewell ceremony for the outgoing chairman of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Lee Sang-eui. "We have better plans to fight and win" with the delay of the OPCON transition, Sharp said. "Our alliance will be even stronger as we synchronize emerging capabilities of the Republic of Korea armed forces and the changes of ROK-US command and control structures," Sharp said, using South Korea's official name. Under a 2007 deal, South Korea was due to regain the OPCON from the US on April 17, 2012. The transfer has now been pushed back to Dec. 1, 2015 at the request of South Korea in the aftermath of the North's attack on South Korean warship, the Ch'o'nan [Cheonan]. US-South Korea relations high – AT: OPCOM delay US-South Korea relations are high-OPCOM delay is for better coordination, not due to lack of cooperation Korea Herald 7/1 [2010, KAFS event celebrates ROK-U.S. alliance, lexis] During the two-hour event, which highlighted the success of the six-decade-old bilateral alliance, KAFS conferred its annual awards to four U.S soldiers and a Defense Department employee for their dedication to improving bilateral relations. During his congratulatory address, KAFS President Han Chul-soo underscored the sacrifices that the U.S. troops have made since the outbreak of the Korean War six decades ago. "As a Korean War veteran myself, 60 years ago, I witnessed USFK service members fighting bravely to defend freedom and democracy against the invasion of the North Korean communist army and I confidently say that today's Republic of Korea stands as it is because of their invaluable sacrifices and suffering," Han said. Calling the Korea-U.S. alliance "the strongest in the world," Gen. Sharp said that the two militaries are ready to deter any aggression from North Korea. "During the past 60 years, the Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance has thrived and has been a corner stone of peace in Northeast Asia. But in light of North Korea's unprovoked and deliberate sinking of the Cheonan, it is more important than ever that we continue to strengthen the bonds of our two nations," the commander said. "We call on North Korea to cease all provocations and to live up to the terms of past agreements, including the armistice agreement. The alliance remains ready to deter and to defeat North Korean aggression whenever and wherever it presents itself." Touching on the recent agreement on the postponement of the U.S. transfer of wartime operational control to the South until 2015, he stressed that the delay was not caused by any lack of the military strength in the South Korean forces. "The ROK military is strong. Delaying the OPCON transition does allow our two nations to realize the alliance plan for 2015, a plan that better synchronizes the ROK and U.S. transformation initiatives resulting in a stronger and more ready and capable alliance," he said. KORUS FTA CP 1NC Text: The United States federal government should establish the KORUS free trade agreement with the Republic of Korea. We’ll clarify The KORUS FTA would cement US credibility in Asia and strengthen ties with South Korea Gutierrez, 08 – Carlos Secretary of Commerce (Korea Economic Institute, January 10, “Too Important to be Allowed to Fail”, http://seoul.usembassy.gov/430_011008a.html) Overall, the KORUS FTA has strong support among a wide array of business sectors that increasingly recognize the importance of the agreement. Korea is a large economy with great potential. This agreement will provide U.S. exporters access to 48 million consumers with an $888 billion economy and a per capita income of nearly $20,000 a year. Korean consumers would benefit from lower prices on U.S. products and greater access to U.S. services while Korean exporters would gain an edge over other countries to the vast U.S. market I am confident that support will grow for this FTA as Americans learn the facts about the benefits. Let’s take a look at some of those facts: This is the most commercially significant bilateral trade deal for the United States in the past 15 years. Nearly 95 percent of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial products becomes duty-free within three years of entry into force. More than half, or $1.6 billion, of current U.S. farm exports go duty-free immediately. The agreement includes unprecedented commitments by Korea on market access for services, including financial services, telecommunications, and express delivery, among others. This FTA boasts state-of-the-art rights and protections for investors, new strong competition law provisions and substantial new protections for intellectual property rights. It also includes stronger labor and environmental safeguards than we’ve included in our previous FTAs. And the agreement contains strong and unprecedented provisions that level the playing field for U.S. automakers in a market in which their ability to compete fairly has long been thwarted. The FTA is a genuinely historic undertaking—a cementing of ties between two of the world’s most significant industrial economies and a bellwether of the United States’ economic role in East Asia. America’s relative position in East Asia is being challenged. Of 34 Asian economies surveyed for which we have data, the U.S. market share has decreased in 27 since 1990. We must actively engage in the region, breaking down barriers to U.S. exports. We must compete with our other major trading partners, all of whom are working to enhance their own competitive position in the region. If unable to enact a strong and comprehensive FTA that so clearly benefits the United States, U.S. credibility in Asia could be seriously compromised. Fearing U.S. disengagement from the region, Korea and other emerging-market economies of the region will approach more willing trading partners and establish preferential agreements with them. In fact, Korea is currently negotiating FTAs with the EU, Canada, ASEAN, Mexico, and India and is considering launching FTA negotiations with China. Rather than being at the forefront of trade in the region, shaping developments, the United States will run the risk of lagging further and further behind. On the other hand, approval of the Korea FTA promises substantial benefits for years to come, as other Asian countries will look to follow Korea’s lead, in building a stronger relationship with the United States and reforming their own economies. U.S. credibility in the region will grow, and with it, our economic position. It’s clear that the KORUS FTA will benefit American workers, farmers, manufacturers and service providers. But this agreement is not just significant economically. In foreign policy circles, the significance of the KORUS FTA to U.S.-Korea relations and to America’s strategic interests in North Asia has become clear. We must not forget that Korea borders a country led by a vision far different from our own. We must not take for granted that our vision of open markets and economic freedom is the only idea being promoted in the world. This FTA allows us to strengthen our engagement with a key ally in a strategically-important part of the world. I am optimistic that Congress will see the critical importance of the Korea FTA. I believe the U.S.-Korea FTA is simply too important to be allowed to fail. What proponents of the FTA must do in the months to come is answer critics with facts, and make sure that a small but vocal minority does not derail an agreement from which so many stand to benefit. The United States and Korea have a half-century long relationship. This agreement is an opportunity for a great friendship to grow even deeper. Korea is a strong and trusted ally of the United States, and the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement is significant step forward for a significant partnership. Thank you. 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