South Korea
Republic of Korea
Population
51.7M
GDP
$1.67T
Capital
Seoul
Government
Unitary presidential constit...
At a Glance
Human Development
0.9
HDI (0-1)
Democracy
8.0
EIU (0-10)
Press Freedom
—
RSF score
Corruption
—
TI CPI (0-100)
Innovation
—
GII score
Happiness
—
WHR (0-10)
South Korea is a major advanced economy and a vibrant democracy that has risen from the devastation of the Korean War to become the world's tenth-largest economy. It is a leading hub for technology, semiconductors, and cultural exports (the 'Korean Wave').
South Korea maintains a critical security alliance with the United States, which stations approximately 28,500 troops on the peninsula. North Korea's nuclear and missile programs remain the primary security threat. South Korea has also navigated rising tensions between the US and China, its largest trading partner.
South Korea is active at the UN and hosted a former UN Secretary-General (Ban Ki-moon). It is a member of the G20, OECD, and APEC, and has expanded its development assistance through KOICA.
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As South Korea, emphasize your credentials as a development success story and responsible middle power. Push nonproliferation and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Ally closely with the US and Japan on security matters.
Court ASEAN and developing countries by highlighting Korea's own development trajectory and aid programs. On trade, champion free trade agreements and open markets.
Be careful with China -- you depend on them economically but oppose their support for North Korea. Avoid direct confrontation and instead work through multilateral channels. On Japan, maintain a pragmatic working relationship despite historical grievances.
Foreign Policy
South Korea's foreign policy balances its security alliance with the United States against its deep economic ties with China. The North Korean threat dominates strategic thinking, with approaches oscillating between engagement (the 'Sunshine Policy') and deterrence depending on the administration.
South Korea has sought to expand its diplomatic footprint as a 'Global Pivotal State,' deepening ties with ASEAN, India, and European partners. Historical tensions with Japan -- over wartime forced labor and territorial disputes (Dokdo/Takeshima) -- periodically complicate trilateral US-Japan-Korea cooperation.