Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States and the Republic of
Korea; October 1, 1953
The Parties to this Treaty,
Reaffirming their desire to live in peace with all peoples and an governments, and desiring to strengthen the
fabric of peace in the Pacific area,
Desiring to declare publicly and formally their common determination to defend themselves against external
armed attack so that no potential aggressor could be under the illusion that either of them stands alone in the
Pacific area,
Desiring further to strengthen their efforts for collective defense for the preservation of peace and security
pending the development of a more comprehensive and effective system of regional security in the Pacific area,
Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE I
The Parties undertake to settle any international disputes in which they may be involved by peaceful means in
such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered and to refrain in their
international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United
Nations, or obligations assumed by any Party toward the United Nations.
ARTICLE II
The Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of either of them, the political independence or
security of either of the Parties is threatened by external armed attack. Separately and jointly, by self help and
mutual aid, the Parties will maintain and develop appropriate means to deter armed attack and will take suitable
measures in consultation and agreement to implement this Treaty and to further its purposes.
ARTICLE III
Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific area on either of the Parties in territories now under
their respective administrative control, or hereafter recognized by one of the Parties as lawfully brought under the
administrative control of the other, would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act
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to meet the common danger in accordance with its constitutional processes.
ARTICLE IV
The Republic of Korea grants, and the United States of America accepts, the right to dispose United States
land, air and sea forces in and about the territory of the Republic of Korea as determined by mutual agreement.
ARTICLE V
This Treaty shall be ratified by the United States of America and the Republic of Korea in accordance with
their respective constitutional processes and will come into force when instruments of ratification thereof have
been exchanged by them at Washington.
ARTICLE VI
This Treaty shall remain in force indefinitely. Either Party may terminate it one year after notice has been
given to the other Party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Washington, in the English and Korean languages, this first day of October 1953.
UNDERSTANDING OF THE UNITED STATES
[The United States Senate gave its advice and consent to the ratification of the treaty subject to the following
understanding:]
It is the understanding of the United States that neither party is obligated, under
Article III
of the above
Treaty, to come to the aid of the other except in case of an external armed attack against such party; nor shall
anything in the present Treaty be construed as requiring the United States to give assistance to Korea except in the
event of an armed attack against territory which has been recognized by the United States as lawfully brought
under the administrative control of the Republic of Korea.
[The United States communicated the text of the understanding to the Republic of Korea in a note of January
28, 1954, acknowledged by the Republic of Korea in a note of February 1, 1954. The text of the understanding
was included in the President's proclamation of November 17, 1954.]
(1) TIAS 3097, 5 UST 23602376. Ratification advised by the Senate Jan. 26, 1954, and ratified by the
President Feb. 5, 1954, subject to an understanding; entered into force Nov. 17, 1954.
(2) Ratifications were exchanged Nov. 17, 1954.
(3) TIAS 3097.
Source:
American Foreign Policy 1950-1955
Basic Documents Volumes I and II
Department of State Publication 6446
General Foreign Policy Series 117
Washington, DC : U.S. Governemnt Printing Office, 1957
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