The Current Geopolitical Position of the Republic of Korea: at the Crossroads of Interests of the United States and China

Abstract

The article is aimed at identifying the current foreign policy priorities of the Republic of Korea, taking into account the factor of its special geopolitical position, namely, being at the crossroads of interests and growing rivalry between the two world great powers – the United States and China. The definition of priorities and goals of the Republic of Korea's foreign policy is carried out in the article based on the concept of "geopolitical code" used in political geography. The article reveals the concept of "geopolitical code", traces the evolution of the geopolitical code of the Republic of Korea and characterizes its modern features. The article demonstrates the complex process of balancing the Republic of Korea between the United States and China during the first two decades of the 21st century, at the initial stage caused by different positions and interests of the parties in resolving the North Korean nuclear missile problem, and at the current stage – by the growing regional (in the Asia-Pacific) and global rivalry between the world's two great powers. As a result of the study, it was concluded that the Republic of Korea is striving to maintain a balance in its relations with the great powers and pursue a foreign policy independent of the great powers, which, however, is complicated by the need to maintain close military-political coordination with Washington due to the unresolved North Korean missile nuclear problem and the relentless growth of China's influence on the economy of the Republic of Korea. Preserving the central role of the alliance with the United States and strengthening economic relations with China as the world's second world economy is a continuing reality of the Republic of Korea.