South Korea at the Crossroads: Autonomy and Alliance in an Era of Rival Powers

Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Speaker
Scott A. Snyder

Senior Fellow for Korea Studies and Director of the Program on U.S.-Korea Policy, Council on Foreign Relations

Presider
James M. Lindsay

Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair, Council on Foreign Relations

CFR Fellows’ Book Launch

Scott Snyder discusses his new book, South Korea at the Crossroads: Autonomy and Alliance in an Era of Rival Powers. Snyder examines the trajectory of fifty years of South Korean foreign policy and offers predictions—and a prescription—for the future.

The CFR Fellows’ Book Launch series highlights new books by CFR fellows. 

               

               

               

  

Explore More on South Korea

South Korea

What’s Causing the Rise in China-South Korea Tensions?
Mounting frictions between the two sides appear to be part of China’s efforts to disrupt the ties between South Korea and the United States but could end up drawing the two allies even closer.

In Brief by Scott A. Snyder June 30, 2023 Asia Program

South Korea

G7 Attendance Highlights South Korea’s Growing Stature
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the G7 summit for the first time, highlighting South Korea's increasing global influence and progress toward gaining a meaningful presence on the global stage. 

Post by Jennifer Ahn June 15, 2023 Asia Unbound

South Korea

Challenges Ahead for U.S. Efforts to Quell South Korea’s Nuclear Ambitions
Amid North Korea’s advancing military capabilities and expanding U.S.-Japan-South Korea security cooperation, the South Korean public will continue assessing whether U.S. extended deterrence could come under future threat. 

Post by Jennifer Ahn June 5, 2023 Asia Unbound

Top Stories on CFR

Ecuador

Ecuador’s Next President Will Face Debt, Drought, and Gangs
April’s runoff election could decide whether Ecuador continues a descent into instability and violence, or charts a new course.

Expert Brief by Will Freeman February 20, 2025

RealEcon

Donald Trump Wants Reciprocity in Trade: Here’s a Closer Look
The president’s plan for reciprocal tariffs sounds good in theory. But there was a reason the United States abandoned the approach a century ago. The gains would be few and the costs enormous.

Article by Edward Alden and Jennifer Hillman February 14, 2025 RealEcon

China Strategy Initiative

India, the United States and the Future of the International Trade Order
India has enjoyed bipartisan support in the U.S. as a critical economic counterbalance to China, but the United States still has a tenuous grasp on its interests. In this series, three experts examine India’s position on digital trade, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and industrial policy.

Article by Manjari Chatterjee Miller February 10, 2025 China Strategy Initiative