South Korea's Grand Strategy - (Contemporary Asia in the World) by Ramon Pacheco Pardo (Paperback)

About the Book

Ramon Pacheco Pardo provides a groundbreaking analysis of South Korea's foreign policy from its transition to democracy in the late 1980s through the present day, arguing that the country's approach to the world constitutes a grand strategy.

Book Synopsis

Since the end of the Cold War, South Korea has taken on a greater role in global affairs. Ramon Pacheco Pardo provides a groundbreaking analysis of South Korea's foreign policy from its transition to democracy in the late 1980s through the present day, arguing that the country's approach to the world constitutes a grand strategy.

This book examines the key factors and goals that shape South Korea's long-term strategy, with analysis that brings together its diplomatic, military, economic, and soft-power components. Pacheco Pardo shows that South Korea's fundamental aim has been to move beyond its past as a "shrimp among whales" and instead attain autonomy and freedom of action. He explores how South Korean leaders across parties and governments have pursued security, prosperity, and status. Pacheco Pardo tracks South Korea's core relationships with North Korea, the United States, and China, and he details the country's objectives and policies across East Asia, the Asia-Pacific region, and the rest of the world.

Drawing on in-depth interviews with past and present policy makers, this book presents an analytical account of how South Korean strategy is made and practiced. It expertly lays out South Korea's grand strategy and, more broadly, makes a compelling case that middle powers like South Korea can implement grand strategies.

Review Quotes

An excellent contribution to the literature on South Korean strategic thinking.-- "Foreign Policy"

In this remarkable book, South Korea's Grand Strategy: Making Its Own Destiny, Ramon Pacheco Pardo pushes the boundaries of the study of grand strategy by applying it to middle powers... a terrific contribution to the literature on grand strategy, middle powers, and South Korea in particular that will serve as a reference for years to come.--Yves Tiberghien "Asia Policy"

With South Korea's Grand Strategy: Making Its Own Destiny, Ramon Pacheco Pardo has written a pathbreaking, scholarly book that explains comprehensively, systematically, and persuasively why South Korea has swiftly emerged as a middle power shaping its own future--Lam Peng E "Asia Policy"

South Korea's Grand Strategy makes some important points, and while more suited to academics and policymakers than general readers, it provides a broad context to the thinking of its leaders as well as a useful historical overview.-- "Asian Review of Books"

In South Korea's Grand Strategy, Ramon Pacheco Pardo offers a theoretically compelling and empirically rich account explaining how a small, initially inward-looking country developed a formidable grand strategy. Scholars and practitioners interested in grand strategy, foreign policy, East Asian affairs and South Korean politics will benefit greatly from this book.--Andrew Yeo, Brookings Institution

Ramon Pacheco Pardo's mastery of South Korea and South Korea's grand strategy are well presented in this book. A must for all who want to see how South Korea has achieved autonomy and freedom of action in approaching the world.--Sung-han Kim, former South Korean national security adviser

Ramon Pacheco Pardo's new book South Korea's Grand Strategy is an outstanding assessment of the country's remarkable journey to become an influential and respected middle power. This book is required reading for those who study South Korean foreign policy as well as scholars of grand strategy.--Terence Roehrig, author of Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. Nuclear Umbrella: Deterrence After the Cold War

This is an incredibly useful book that illuminates how South Korea thinks about its place in the world, what it aspires to achieve, and how it pursues its objectives. With its lucid and comprehensive presentation of South Korea as an international actor, the book is an excellent text for students and researchers alike.--Ji-Young Lee, American University

About the Author

Ramon Pacheco Pardo is professor of international relations at King's College London and the KF-VUB Korea Chair at the Brussels School of Governance at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. His books include Shrimp to Whale: South Korea from the Forgotten War to K-Pop (2022) and, with Victor Cha, Korea: A New History of South and North (2023).