[[Image:080511 ROK Protest Against US Beef Agreement by hojusaram.jpg|100px|thumb|right|A South Korean speaks out against U.S. beef imports]]
Since the end of the Korean War, South Korea and the United States have maintained strong ties. According to American think tank organization [[Pew Research Center]], South KoreaKoreans hashave one of the most favorable views towardsin the USworld countrytowards andthe peopleUnited States. (ranked within top 4 among the countries in the world) <ref>[http://pewglobal.org/database/?indicator=1&mode=map Opinion of the United States] 2009 Pew Research Center</ref><ref>[http://pewglobal.org/database/?indicator=2&mode=map Opinion of Americans] 2009 Pew Research Center</ref> Also, according to a Korean [[The Gallup Organization|gallup]] poll, South Korea views the US as the most favorable country amongst the countries in the world.<ref>[http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2008/03/05/2008030500047.html "한국에 긍정적 영향을 미친 국가는 미국 " 80.7% (80.7% Korean think US gave most positive influence to Korea)]{{ko}}</ref>
The United States supported South Korea after 1945 as a "staunch bastion against communism", even when it was ruled by a dictatorship.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19760501&id=NKgfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WtYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1191,19563|title=South Korea's leader Communism's best ally?|date=1976-05-01|accessdate=2010-04-10|publisher=[[The Gadsden Times]]|first=Eugene|last=Stockwell}}</ref> However, the relationship has not been without problems.
