The Modernisation of the Republic of Korea Navy

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxi

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Ian Bowers

   Pages 1-22

3. North Korea and Deterrence at Sea

   • Ian Bowers

   Pages 23-50

4. To the Blue-Water

   • Ian Bowers

   Pages 51-79

5. Force Modernisation and Integration

   • Ian Bowers

   Pages 81-108

6. The United States and the ROKN

   • Ian Bowers

   Pages 109-139

7. Creating a Naval Identity

   • Ian Bowers

   Pages 141-163

8. Politics, Strategy and Naval Modernisation

   • Ian Bowers

   Pages 165-191

9. Conclusion

   • Ian Bowers

   Pages 193-204

10. Back Matter

    Pages 205-239

    PDF

This book sheds light on one of the most under-studied but powerful navies in the world. Using a multifaceted approach, it examines how the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) has sought to transform itself from a coastal naval force focused solely on deterring North Korea to a navy capable of operating in the blue waters of East Asia and beyond. The project argues that peninsular and regional security dynamics, technological developments, the US-South Korea alliance and internal politics combine to inform and shape ROKN modernisation.  

• Republic of Korea Navy
• ROKN
• Maritime Studies
• Modernisation
• US-South Korea alliance
• East Asia
• Defence Studies
• Navy
• North Korea
• Military Studies
• Security Studies
• China
• naval modernisation
• Korean Peninsula
• South Korean security policy
• regional security dynamics
• peninsular security dynamics
• Naval Identity
• political studies
• asian politics

“The security situation in the Korean peninsula has been catapulted into the world's attention because of the urgent need to stop the North's nuclear programme. But this is just one part of the issue. South Korea's maritime policy is also of critical and growing importance, as it both reflects and helps shape the strategic context between the two Koreas and their allies, near and far. Yet this aspect of Korean security has been sadly neglected - until now, with the publication of Ian Bower's first rate and deeply expert review of the past present and future of the Navy of the Republic of Korea. At last this long-standing gap in the literature has been filled.” (Geoffrey Till, Professor, King’s College London, UK)

“In this ground-breaking book, Ian Bowers changes the way we look at Korean security. Drawing upon uncovered primary documents, Bowers shows how the modernisation of the South Korean Navy has been defined by the need to balance the North Korean military threat against the country’s international ambitions. In this innovative work, Bowers proves that the study of the navy is a journey into the complex links between South Korean politics, economics, and geopolitical conditions.” (Alessio Patalano, Reader in War Studies, King’s College London, UK)

• Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies, Oslo, Norway

  Ian Bowers

Ian Bowers is Associate Professor at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies, Oslo, Norway.