The stakes are high in Korea, requiring a strong political will to effect change and a willingness to spend some major political capital. Though it is a time for anniversaries, the mood has been less than jubilant. The 60th anniversary of a mutual defense treaty signed after the end of the Korean War and the first anniversary of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) were marked by a White House visit by newly elected South Korean President Park Geun-hye. The White House described the 60-year-old agreement as "a linchpin of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the Asia Pacific region." The two leaders affirmed they would continue building on the past six decades of stability, said the White House. President Barack Obama's comments reflected the tension gripping the region as he said, "Guided by our joint vision, we're investing in the shared capabilities and technologies and missile defenses that allow our forces to operate and succeed together. And, we're determined to be fully prepared for any challenge or threat to our security."
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