South Korea at the Crossroads - (Council on Foreign Relations Book) by Scott A Snyder

About the Book

South Korea at the Crossroads examines fifty years of South Korean foreign policy and offers predictions--and a prescription--for the future. Pairing a historical perspective with a shrewd understanding of today's political landscape, Scott A. Snyder contends that South Korea's best strategy remains a robust alliance with the United States.

Book Synopsis

Against the backdrop of China's mounting influence and North Korea's growing nuclear capability and expanding missile arsenal, South Korea faces a set of strategic choices that will shape its economic prospects and national security. In South Korea at the Crossroads, Scott A. Snyder examines the trajectory of fifty years of South Korean foreign policy and offers predictions--and a prescription--for the future. Pairing a historical perspective with a shrewd understanding of today's political landscape, Snyder contends that South Korea's best strategy remains investing in a robust alliance with the United States.

Snyder begins with South Korea's effort in the 1960s to offset the risk of abandonment by the United States during the Vietnam War and the subsequent crisis in the alliance during the 1970s. A series of shifts in South Korean foreign relations followed: the "Nordpolitik" engagement with the Soviet Union and China at the end of the Cold War; Kim Dae Jung's "Sunshine Policy," designed to bring North Korea into the international community; "trustpolitik," which sought to foster diplomacy with North Korea and Japan; and changes in South Korea's relationship with the United States. Despite its rise as a leader in international financial, development, and climate-change forums, South Korea will likely still require the commitment of the United States to guarantee its security. Although China is a tempting option, Snyder argues that only the United States is both credible and capable in this role. South Korea remains vulnerable relative to other regional powers in northeast Asia despite its rising profile as a middle power, and it must balance the contradiction of desirable autonomy and necessary alliance.

Review Quotes

Remarkably timely.--HDiplo

"An extremely welcome addition to the literature on South Korea's foreign policy ... and will be an invaluable text to assign in undergraduate and graduate courses on Korean politics, and politics in East Asia"--Marco Milani, University of Sheffield "The International Spectator "

A foundational text for anyone who wishes to learn about South Korea's foreign policy choices. In particular, foreign policy stakeholders in the United States and China will find the book very helpful in making sense of Korea's policy options and the potential determinants that influence the country's strategic decision making.--International Affairs

His analysis is sharp and the book is rich in information.--International Relations of the Asia-Pacific

South Korea at the Crossroads makes use of a wide and impressive selection of sources, ranging from domestic South Korean newspapers, international journals, selected books and texts, as well as official documents and declarations between the nations. In doing so, Snyder provides the reader with a comprehensive and thorough view of much that has transpired over the last two decades. The book splendidly combines the details and public sentiment found in the various Northeast Asian domestic newspapers with a broad understanding of theory that predominates the academic scene.--David A. Tizzard Seoul Women's University "Journal of American East-Asian Relations "

Snyder's balanced analysis, readable style, and insightful and bold conclusions make South Korea at the Crossroads a tremendous contribution....This book is not to be missed.--38 North

In this history of South Korean foreign policy from the presidency of Syngman Rhee, who was in power from 1948 to 1960, through that of Park Geun-hye, who resigned last year, Snyder expertly describes the frustrations of a middle power that faces a persistent threat and depends on an inconsistent ally.--Foreign Affairs

Remarkably timely. . . . [Snyder's] rich and balanced treatment of South Korea and its US alliance gives readers a viewing point from which to look for themselves at the road ahead.--John Delury "Global Asia "

[A] solid introduction to the history of South Korea's foreign policy. . . . Snyder is adept at describing the ups and downs in South Korea's relationships with the U.S. and China, which illustrate his insightful thesis that there exists a 'conflict between South Korea's aspirations for autonomy and its need for alliance.--Publishers Weekly

Students of geopolitics will appreciate Snyder's thoughtful analysis of a troubled region.--Kirkus Reviews

This cogently presented work is essential for specialists of East Asian international relations and those interested in South Korea's historical and present-day foreign policy.--Library Journal

South Korea at the Crossroads provides a lucid and expansive coverage of the major forces that have shaped and influenced South Korean diplomacy since its founding in 1948. Snyder emphasizes the contradictory forces that have shaped Seoul's foreign policy through each administration, such as the pluses and minuses of geography, nationalism, and internationalism and the poles of autonomy and alliance. This volume will stand out as the best single-volume study on South Korean foreign policy.--Chung Min Lee, Yonsei University

At a critical moment for the alliance, Scott A. Snyder has done it again--producing an important work that both provides insightful historical perspectives of the relationship and also advances our understanding of South Korean strategic decision making. This latest contribution from Snyder will inform academics, policy makers, and those who follow the alliance in Washington, Seoul, and around the world.--Mark Lippert, U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Korea, 2014-2017

The dizzying developments on the Korean peninsula have assumed a central place in our national conversation as recent developments in both Pyongyang and Seoul remind us of the stakes in play for the United States in Asia. Scott Snyder, perhaps America's premier Korean watcher, has written an indispensable book about how to chart a course for America and South Korea in the complex period ahead.--Kurt M. Campbell, chairman and CEO, the Asia Group

About the Author

Scott A. Snyder is senior fellow for Korea studies and director of the program on U.S.-Korea policy at the Council on Foreign Relations. He is coauthor of The Japan-South Korea Identity Clash: East Asian Security and the United States (Columbia, 2015) and author of Middle-Power Korea: Contributions to the Global Agenda (2015). Snyder was previously senior associate in the International Relations Program of the Asia Foundation, a specialist for the U.S. Institute of Peace, and an acting director of the Asia Society's Contemporary Affairs Program.