ABSTRACT
In recent years the Republic of Korea (ROK or South Korea) has experienced a dramatic political transformation. On the domestic front, the nation has made the transition from authoritarianism to democracy. On the international front, the ROK has been embraced by many of its former adversaries —including the People's Republic of China (PRC). Perhaps equally significant, Seoul has adopted a new approach toward relations with its archrival on the Korea Peninsula—the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea). These developments hold important implications for the ROK's security policy and the nation's armed forces.
