The resurgence of great-power competition has returned maritime power and industrial capacity to the center of strategic thinking. In this context, cooperation between the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States in shipbuilding carries significance well beyond industrial collaboration. It reflects a deeper shift in how the alliance understands deterrence, burden-sharing, and the foundations of maritime power in the Indo-Pacific. ROK–U.S. shipbuilding cooperation is not simply about producing ships more efficiently; it is about aligning industrial strength with strategic purpose.
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