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South Korea

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OVERVIEW OF SOUTH KOREA

WOOD, WILLY

09, JULY, 2015

Introduction

This paper is an analysis of the country of South Korea. Using the operational variables of PMESII-PT this paper will identify the current situation in South Korea and the countries current issues. The overall objective is to understand the motives of South Korea.
Political
The Republic of Korea has a liberal democratic political system. South Koreas political foundation resides in the sovereignty of the people and the responsibility to maintain every citizen’s welfare. Currently the president of South Korea is Park Geun-hye. The 11th and first female president was elected on February 25th, 2013. With Korea’s limited 5 year presidency she has until …show more content…

(2)
The northern border is known as the DMZ (demilitarized zone) it is the most heavily armed border in the world. At 2.5 miles wide and 150-miles long the heavily mined and guarded area has served as a buffer zone since the cease fire in 1953.(3) The united States helps to guard the DMZ and protect the ROK with approximately 30,000 troops and an arsenal of military equipment. The country of South Korea is unable to maintain their own Nuclear weapons and relies on the US Militaries nuclear weapons program to match North Koreas Nuclear weapons program. Although the ROK army is well equipped and well trained it lacks the sheer numbers and nuclear capabilities to match North Korea. Therefore the ROK relies heavily on the United States military assistance. However with the ROK’s consistent progression and strong economy it’s only a matter of time before the ROK will no longer need the help of the USA. (4)
Economic
The ROC has the 12th largest economy in the world and is the 3rd largest in Asia. After world WII the ROC was one of the poorest countries in Asia and its economy was designed solely to the needs of Japan. The ROC was also dependent on US aid. In 1962 a coup led by General Park Chung-hee started a series of ambitious economic development. This resulted in an economic shift to vastly more foreign trade normalizing their economic relations with Japan.

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