ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the evolution of South Korean foreign policy since the end of the Korean War through the two analytical lenses – traditional interest diplomacy and middle power diplomacy. The ROK’s diplomacy has centered on the maximization of its national interests, which are to protect its security from the North Korean threat, foster inter-Korean reconciliation, and promote economic prosperity. South Korea has also made efforts to promote public goods – development, environment, and international security – in the international community by proactively participating in global institutions since the late 2000s. This chapter also pays special attention to the impact of three influential factors – top leadership, domestic public opinion, and international political structure – on South Korean foreign policy. South Korean presidents usually had ultimate authority to determine the ROK’s foreign policy, but they were also constrained by international political events, such as the Cold War, and the evolving relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union and between the United States and China. After the ROK’s democratization in 1987, foreign policy initiatives were often bounded by domestic public opinion as well.
