Publication

This brief examines trends in South Korea’s defense diplomacy with the United States, China, Japan and Southeast Asian countries. The author argues that South Korea focuses its strategies on three key topics: 1) the US presence in East Asia; 2) progress in managing the North Korean nuclear issue; and 3) the development of an ASEAN-centred regional defense cooperation framework. She concludes that South Korea’s defense engagement strategies will have policy implications for Seoul and subsequently affect regional stability.