This course is designed to explore the evolution of South Korea’s foreign policies since the establishment of the Republic of Korea in 1948. It will examine historical background, foreign relations with major powers, and new directions in South Korea’s foreign policy formation focusing on various factors influencing South Korean foreign policy. After the end of World War II and during most time of the Cold War period, South Korea, as a newly independent state, had been heavily dependent on its alliance with the United States to achieve its national objectives of security and prosperity. However, with the end of the Cold War and its successes in economic development and democratization, Seoul has attempted to expand the horizon of foreign policy through multilateralism and an active pursuit of peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula. In the changing context of contemporary world politics, this course will also examine the future direction of South Korea’s foreign policy and strategic choice in its relations to major powers and facing with the dynamic of changing security environment in East Asia. The complete syllabus will be presented on the KHU's territory.
Learning Objectives
To understand the historical evolution of South Korea’s foreign policies since 1948
To examine Korea’s foreign relations with major powers surrounding the Korean Peninsula such as the United States, China, Japan, and Russia
To illuminate major determinants and factors influencing South Korea's foreign policy and strategic choices
To understand multilateralism in South Korean foreign policy
To understand the future direction of South Korea’s strategic choice
Expected Learning Outcomes
Students will gain knowledge of the main objectives of South Korea in foreign policy and foreign policy during authoritarian rules
Course Contents
Introduction and Class Organization
South Korea's Strategic Choices
Foreign Policies under Authoritarian Rule
Roh Tae-Woo and Kim Young Sam
Kim Dae-jung and the Sunshine Policy - Snyder, Chapter 4
Lee Myung-bak’s Global Korea Policy - Snyder, Chapter 6
Mid-term Exam
Park Geun-hye’s Asian Paradox 1 - Snyder
The Paradox of South Korea’s Middle-Power Status 1 - Snyder, Chapter 8
The Paradox of South Korea’s Middle-Power Status 2 - Snyder, Chapter 8
Korea Between the United States and China 1 - Snyder, Chapter 9
Moon Jae-In's Peace Process on the Korea Peninsula
Final Exam
Assessment Elements
Test
The test for the Russia in East Asia course will be evaluated based on your ability to accurately understand the approaches of the East Asian countries, taking into account your previous political and economic background and demonstrating a comprehensive grasp of the course material covered thus far. Your answers should be clear, concise, and precise, effectively communicating your understanding of the regional features.
Analytical paper
Students must demonstrate an understanding of the regional context, the ability to analyze current relations between Russia and East Asian countries, and propose constructive solutions to existing issues.
Final Exam
The final exam takes place orally.
The procedure is as follows. The student is asked to answer one of the 10 questions, a list of which is attached. What kind of question the student will get is determined randomly and is not known to the student in advance. The student is asked to draw a note with the number of the examination question. Time to prepare an answer is no more than 15 minutes, response time is no more than 10 minutes.
ATTENDANCE
The grade will be based on attendance during the lectures/seminars. Attendance in class is basic and mandatory.
Participation
All students should actively participate in discussions. Students should be prepared for classes and be ready to provide information/feedback or answer the questions on the subject.
Interim Assessment
2026/2027 2nd module
0.3 * Participation + 0.1 * Participation + 0.1 * Final Exam + 0.1 * Analytical paper + 0.1 * Test + 0.1 * ATTENDANCE
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
A history of Korea : from "Land of the morning calm" to states in conflict, Kim, J., 2012
A history of Korea, Hwang, K. M., 2017
Курбанов С.О. - История Кореи: с древности до начала XXI в. - 978-5-288-06225-4 - Санкт-Петербургский государственный университет - 2022 - https://znanium.ru/catalog/document?id=418282 - 418282 - ZNANIUM
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Learning Objectives
Expected Learning Outcomes
Course Contents
Assessment Elements
Interim Assessment
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
Recommended Additional Bibliography
Authors