South Korea's Grand Strategy: Making Its Own Destiny

South Korea has taken on a more significant role in global affairs since the end of the Cold War, and Ramon Pacheco Pardo's book provides a groundbreaking analysis of South Korea's foreign policy from its transition to democracy in the late 1980s through the present day. He argues that South Korea's approach to the world constitutes a grand strategy aimed at attaining autonomy and freedom of action. The book explores how South Korean leaders across parties and governments have pursued security, prosperity, and status, and tracks the country's core relationships with North Korea, the United States, and China. Drawing on in-depth interviews with past and present policy makers, the book presents an analytical account of how South Korean strategy is made and practiced, making a compelling case that middle powers like South Korea can implement grand strategies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 10 October 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Since the end of the Cold War, South Korea has assumed a more significant role in global affairs. Ramon Pacheco Pardo offers a groundbreaking analysis of South Korea's foreign policy from its transition to democracy in the late 1980s to the present day, arguing that the country's approach to the world constitutes a grand strategy. This book examines the key factors and goals that shape South Korea's long-term strategy, with analysis that brings together its diplomatic, military, economic, and soft-power components. Pacheco Pardo demonstrates that South Korea's fundamental aim has been to move beyond its past as a "shrimp among whales" and instead attain autonomy and freedom of action. He explores how South Korean leaders across parties and governments have pursued security, prosperity, and status. Pacheco Pardo tracks South Korea's core relationships with North Korea, the United States, and China, and he details the country's objectives and policies across East Asia, the Asia-Pacific region, and the rest of the world. Drawing on in-depth interviews with past and present policy makers, this book presents an analytical account of how South Korean strategy is made and practiced. It expertly lays out South Korea's grand strategy and, more broadly, makes a compelling case that middle powers like South Korea can implement grand strategies.

Since the end of the Cold War, South Korea has assumed a more significant role in global affairs. Ramon Pacheco Pardo offers a groundbreaking analysis of South Korea's foreign policy from its transition to democracy in the late 1980s to the present day, arguing that the country's approach to the world constitutes a grand strategy. This book examines the key factors and goals that shape South Korea's long-term strategy, with analysis that brings together its diplomatic, military, economic, and soft-power components. Pacheco Pardo demonstrates that South Korea's fundamental aim has been to move beyond its past as a "shrimp among whales" and instead attain autonomy and freedom of action. He explores how South Korean leaders across parties and governments have pursued security, prosperity, and status. Pacheco Pardo tracks South Korea's core relationships with North Korea, the United States, and China, and he details the country's objectives and policies across East Asia, the Asia-Pacific region, and the rest of the world. Drawing on in-depth interviews with past and present policy makers, this book presents an analytical account of how South Korean strategy is made and practiced. It expertly lays out South Korea's grand strategy and, more broadly, makes a compelling case that middle powers like South Korea can implement grand strategies.

Weight: 610g
Dimension: 159 x 238 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231203227