The Jacob Shapiro Podcast The Shrimp Among Whales
Nov 3, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Jeffrey Robertson, an associate professor of diplomacy at Yonsei University and expert on North Asia, illuminates South Korea's geopolitical dance among major powers. He explores South Korea's pragmatic approaches to US relations, keeping the alliance transactional. Robertson discusses the nation's unique stance on nuclear weapons and provides insights on the complex dynamics with North Korea. He also highlights the economic potential of unification, while addressing South Korea's demographic challenges and evolving policy adaptations.
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Korea At The Regional Crossroads
- Korea sits at the junction where continental and maritime powers contest regional control.
- That geographic reality has always placed Korea at the center of Northeast Asian geopolitics.
The Alliance Has Always Been Transactional
- South Korea's alliance with the U.S. has historically been transactional rather than value-driven.
- Seoul negotiates tangible benefits from alliance commitments, using deployments and cooperation to secure economic and military gains.
Broad Support, Big Calls For Alliance Reform
- South Korean opinion about the U.S. spans pro-alliance to anti-alliance camps, with many seeking reform rather than rupture.
- There is growing recognition across sectors that the alliance needs to be updated for current strategic realities.