The Korean Paradox: Domestic Political Divide and Foreign Policy in South Korea (Politics in Asia)

Bringing together an international line up of contributors, this book examines South Korea's foreign policy strategies designed to cope with the challenges of the post-Cold War regional order and the emergence of a "Korean paradox". Focusing on non-material factors in shaping the decision-making processes of primary actors, such as traditions, beliefs, and identities, this book begins by analysing the emergence of the "Asian Paradox" and explores how different political traditions have influenced South Korea's foreign and security policies. In the second part (from Chapter 4), this book goes on to deal directly with the key issues in South Korea's foreign policy today, with an emphasis on the progressive and conservative approaches to the challenges the country faces. This includes the North Korean threat, the alliance with the U.S., relations with China and Russia, the complicated relationship with Japan, and the emerging role of South Korea outside of Northeast Asia. An innovative study of the domestic sources of South Korean foreign policy, The Korean Paradox investigates South Korea's growing role at both regional and global levels. As such, it will be useful to students and scholars of Korean Studies, International Relations and East Asian Studies more generally Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of illustrations Acknowledgements Notes on contributors 1 Interpreting South Korea’s foreign and security policy under the “Asian paradox” The emergence of the “Asian paradox” and its influence on South Korea The interpretive approach to foreign policy South Korea’s foreign policy and its paradoxes Structure of the book Note References 2 The dynamics of democratized South Korean foreign policy in the post-Cold War era Introduction The Authoritarian Governments during the Cold War(1953–1987) The peaceful transition and Roh Tae-woo’s Northern policy Kim Young-sam’s democratization and foreign policy The formation of the conservatives and progressives on foreign policy Conclusion References 3 The impact of political alternation on South Korea’s foreign policy Introduction Kim Dae-jung and the debut of the progressive era Roh Moo-hyun’selection and the deepening of the domestic divide The conservative reassessment under Lee Myung-bak Park Geun-hye’s attempt to revise the conservative tradition Conclusion Notes References 4 Progressive and conservative visions of inter-Korean relations Introduction The end of the Cold War and South Korean democratizationas turning points for inter-Korean relations The progressive vision of inter-Korean relations in practice The return of the conservative approach in inter-Korean relations and the end of cooperation Conclusion References 5 South Korea, partisan politics, and the United States Introduction: South Korea’s political turmoil Enduring elements of Korea’s political culture Democracy is vibrant, and the pendulum swings left and right Engaging North Korea Comfort women memorials in the United States Korea, the U.S., and China Conclusion: the U.S.–ROK alliance under stress References 6 Conservatives and progressives’ stance on China and impact on South Korea–China relations Introduction Concepts and propositions South Korean elites Divide by political inclinations on China-related issues in South Korea’s public opinion On the deployment of THAAD On Moon’s China visit and diplomacy On China threat perception South Korea’s general perception of China Feeling of closeness China’s national image China’s alliance question on Korean contingency South Koreans’ expectation on China’s role in unification Conclusion Notes References 7 United we stand? South Korea–China economic relationsand the political (non-)divide Introduction Beliefs and narratives: South Korea as a free-trading nation Beliefs Narratives Agents of South Korea trade and foreign economic policy and the political (non-)divide President Trade unit Political parties Export-oriented industries Protectionist industries Trade unions The non-paradox: continuity in trade and economic policy towards China Signing of bilateral investment and trade agreements Development of a bilateral and regional financial safety net Support for RMB internationalization Support for Chinese multilateral economic initiatives Conclusion References 8 South Korea–Japan relations: the comfort women lens Introduction The December 2015 comfort women agreement The domestic roots of the comfort women’s foreign policy power The foreign policy implications The comfort women, South Korean domestic politics and relations with Japan Note References 9 South Korea–Russia relations after the Cold War Introduction The initial stage of South Korea–Russia relations (1990–1998) South Korea–Russia relations during the “progressive decade” (1998–2008) South Korea–Russia relations during the conservative period of Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations (2008–2017) Moon Jae-in’s New Northern Policy and relations with Russia Conclusion Note References 10 Crossing boundaries: South Korea’s global diplomacy outside Northeast Asia Introduction Exploring the Silk Road: South Korea and Central Asia The new frontier market: South Korea and the African continent At full sails towards the Southeast: South Korea and ASEAN Quiet and responsible in the new promised land:South Korea’s diplomacy in the Arctic region Conclusion Notes References 11 Conclusion Note References Index "Bringing together an international line up of contributors, this book examines South Korea's foreign policy strategies designed to cope with the challenges of the post-Cold War regional order. Caught between economic interdependence with China and a security alliance with the US, it thus analyses the emergence of a 'Korean paradox'. Focusing on non-material factors in shaping the decision-making processes of primary actors, such as traditions, beliefs and identities, this book begins by analysing the emergence of the 'Asian Paradox' and explores how different political traditions have influenced South Korea's foreign and security policies. In the second part, this book goes on to deal directly with the key issues in South Korea's foreign policy today, with an emphasis on the progressive and conservative approaches to the challenges the country faces. This includes the North Korean threat, the alliance with the US, relations with China and Russia, the complicated relationship with Japan, and the emerging role of South Korea outside of Northeast Asia. An innovative study of the domestic sources of South Korean foreign policy, The Korean Paradox investigates South Korea's growing role at the regional and global levels. As such, it will be useful to students and scholars of Korean Studies, International Relations and East Asian Studies more generally"-- Provided by publisher