South Korea's Maritime Strategy

Over the past decade, South Korean leaders have encouraged the creation of a stronger, more independent and far-reaching navy. This would be significant for a country whose maritime security has long been provided by the United States. Indeed, Seoul's growing desire and ability to operate far beyond its immediate coastal waters independently of the United States reflects a deeper shift in the region's geopolitical makeup.

In upcoming decades, power in East Asia will increasingly be determined at sea, not on land. This means that South Korean imperatives and strategy have become defined by its immediate maritime environment. This was not the case previously, when Seoul focused primarily on the ground conflict over the Korean Peninsula while relying on the United States for maritime protection. While Pyongyang is still Seoul's most immediate security concern, it is just one factor in the South's broader strategy. South Korea's desire to consolidate its place within the region — one now dominated by China and Japan — will define its foreign policy in the coming years.