The Evolution of China’s Maritime Strategy and Challenges / Tasks for South Korea in an Era of US-China Strategic Competition

South Korea’s Strategic Options amid the US–China Strategic Competition Under the Biden Administration

East Asian Policy ◽

10.1142/s179393052100012x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (02) ◽

pp. 49-66

Author(s):

Hahnkyu PARK ◽

Chun Hee YANG

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

South Korea ◽

The United States ◽

Political Leaders ◽

Hedging Strategy ◽

National Interests ◽

Strategic Competition ◽

Practical Strategy ◽

The Us ◽

Rational Calculation

South Korea has so far maintained a “double hedging” strategy—that is, the United States for security, China for economy—in managing its relations with the United States and China. Both Washington and Beijing are recently increasing their pressures on Seoul to join their side, respectively. South Korea needs to re-evaluate its current strategy and adopt a more practical strategy based upon rational calculation of national interests rather than upon political leaders’ ideological beliefs or domestic political considerations.

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Biting the Cow’s Tongue: Securitization and Capacity Building in the South China Sea

Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs ◽

10.1177/2347797016670703 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 269-290 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Zenel Garcia ◽

Thomas A. Breslin

Keyword(s):

South China Sea ◽

South Korea ◽

Capacity Building ◽

South China ◽

The South China Sea ◽

The South ◽

Regional Powers ◽

China Sea ◽

Strategic Competition ◽

Security Challenges

The South China Sea (SCS) territorial disputes have become one of the most significant security challenges in the East Asian Supercomplex (EAS). Described in Buzan and Wæver’s classic study as a Great Power Bipolar Supercomplex defined by China and Japan, the emergence and actions of South Korea and Indonesia as regional powers have rendered the EAS multipolar and unusually volatile. As the hierarchy in the EAS transforms into a multipolar one, the securitization of China has allowed Japan and South Korea to facilitate the capacity building efforts of Southeast Asian states at the expense of China. As a result, the littoral states surrounding the SCS have taken advantage of this strategic competition in order to advance their own interests.

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