South Korea is in a tenuous situation diplomatically due to it being next to two nuclear powers and in one of the most contested regions in the world: on the Korean peninsula and behind both China Seas. Since the Korean War, South Korea has steadily gained power in its region by establishing itself as a strict government-run capitalist state. Its government structure consists of the national government, governmental agencies, and local governments, but external players like private sector companies also have a large sway on policy. Due to its commitment to competing in the global economy, there is a large focus on education, literacy, as well as a strong social hierarchy that enforces its economic structure. As a republic, South Korea has a president and prime minister, as well as many political parties within its national assembly.
Despite some advancements to its military in recent years, South Korea’s diplomatic relations with its neighbors and the rest of the world revolve around economic ties and trade. Its largest industries are electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals, and shipbuilding, so it serves as both an engineering and manufacturing hub in the region. With 81% of the population living in cities, South Korea is exemplary of modern consumer culture and the prowess of globalization. Seoul is ranked as the 4th largest metropolitan economy in the world, another example of the resources South Korea has put into being economically dominant over militarily. Similar to Germany, Japan, and the wider EU, South Korea leverages home and foreign trade to keep power, which has led to it developing large trade agreements and coalitions with even larger powers like the U.S., Russia, and China. From an outside perspective, Korea is seen as a mediator between East and West, as it both is strongly capitalist but primarily trades with China and has a culture that fits somewhere in between East and West traditions. As a country primarily made up of Atheists and Christians, many of South Korea’s policies fall in line with Western Foreign policy like intervening in foreign nations and being concentrated on trading globally. China, the U.S., and Japan are its largest trading partners, 3 countries deeply tied to the rest of world trade, and 3 that have had a lot of influence on Korea’s development since the 1950s. Ideologically, South Korea is focused on democracy and sustaining its market, unlike China, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam which make up some of its largest trading partners. The U.S., as an intermediary in the region and as South Korea’s largest military ally, uses South Korea as a base for many of its affairs in the region. Japan is an ally to South Korea and a strong economic partner, but there has been a lot of tension between the two countries since the Japanese invasion. Then comes the issue of North Korea. In recent years South Korea and North Korea have steadily been growing closer to reunification or greater economic integration. The threats of nuclear strikes are less relevant now that North Korea is backing down little by little with its harshness towards South Korea. As its only land border, it is in South Korea’s interests to heavily strengthen its relationship with North Korea and both have practically the same people.
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May 2022
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