The Peter Zeihan Podcast Series South Korean and Japanese Alliance? || Peter Zeihan
Nov 5, 2025
Exploring the potential for a Korean-Japanese alliance, the discussion highlights historical issues and strategic disagreements that make such collaboration unlikely. The conversation delves into naval capabilities and trade dependencies, emphasizing Japan's strategic choices in light of changing U.S. relations. The complexities of regional dynamics and the influence of historical animosities paint a vivid picture of the challenges faced in forming unlikely alliances.
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Strategic Potential Stalled By History
- South Korea and Japan could achieve strategic gains by cooperating, but deep historical animosity makes such an alliance unlikely.
- Their economic dependencies overlap and competition for resources will intensify under deglobalization, limiting cooperative incentives.
Divergent Military Profiles
- South Korea focuses defense spending on the North Korean land threat, leaving its navy small and not blue-water.
- Japan invests in a blue-water navy and has carrier capability, giving it maritime agency the Koreans lack.
Competing Dependencies In A Shrinking Global System
- Both countries rely heavily on imported raw materials and exports of finished goods, creating competing needs.
- Under deglobalization, both will vie for the same supply lines while only Japan can project naval power to secure them.