New publication from Dr Bo-Jiun Jing "Beyond Hedging? Japanese and South Korean Responses to US-China Competition"
Credit: John Cairns
Dr Bo-Jiun Jing (Senior Research Fellow in Taiwan Studies) has co-authored a journal article entitled "Beyond Hedging? Japanese and South Korean Responses to US-China Competition" published in Asian Survey. His co-authors are Professor Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Ms Rei Koga, and Dr Eun A Jo.
Abstract
Hedging, conceptualized as a set of improvised alignment practices, allows states to maintain maneuverability in the face of uncertainty. Using this conceptual framework, we re-examine the evolving foreign policy perceptions and strategies of Japan and South Korea in response to the growing US-China competition in the last decade. While Japan has consistently aligned with the US since 2013, when Xi Jinping took power in China, South Korea has undergone a more notable shift-from hedging to balancing against China. Surprisingly, the changes in perceptions of Chinese threat can be traced to the progressive administration of President Moon Jae-in. This analysis highlights the dynamic nature of alignment strategies and their implications for regional security and the US-China rivalry.