The South Korean Response: The Regional Context

Abstract

Over the past 615 years since the Mongols were expelled from the land, Korea has experienced 500 years of dependence on China, 40 years of dominance by Japan, 60 years of divided reliance on the United States in the South and mostly on the Soviet Union in the North, and just a few decades when it was even possible to search for autonomy through a balance of powers.¹ The concept of sadae recalls how Koreans work with a hegemonic power to keep control of their own destiny or, if unavoidable, just to achieve partial autonomy. When deterring war with the North at last no longer seemed necessary, the goal of expanding national independence or even ending sadae rose to the fore but with disappointing results. Many see the United States trying to retain its dominance, China inclined to reassert its, Japan eyeing ways to reimpose its, and Russia not to be ignored.² Hopes endure, however, of seizing a rare opportunity to work with all of these countries to find a balance conducive to reunification, more sovereign control, and regional influence.