The Role of Political Ideology in Shaping South Korea's Foreign Policy and Its Implications

ABSTRACT South Korea's foreign policy toward its neighbors frequently shifts when there is a leadership change from one ideological group to another. For instance, when power shifts from progressives to conservatives, South Korea's relations with the United States and Japan tend to improve while its ties with China and North Korea deteriorates. In contrast, when progressive administration takes office, South Korea's stance is often reversed. As such, this article demonstrates the critical role of ideology in shaping South Korea's foreign policy. Furthermore, it examines the implications of these policy swings: frequent shifts in South Korea's stance toward its neighbors, depending on the ruling administration's political orientation, may undermine the state's reliability, leading its neighbors to hesitate before making agreements or pursuing long‐term relations. For an in‐depth investigation, the author reviews South Korea's relations with four of its neighbors—the United States, China, Japan, and North Korea.