Bolstering U.S.-South Korean Cooperation to Meet the China Challenge

Project Expert

Scott A. Snyder
Scott A. Snyder

Senior Fellow for Korea Studies and Director of the Program on U.S.-Korea Policy

About the Project

The sharpening geostrategic competition between the United States and China remains the most consequential challenge facing South Korea. How the South Korean government responds will have longstanding domestic, regional, and global ramifications. Effective U.S.-South Korea alliance coordination vis-à-vis China will require a deeper dialogue to address South Korean concerns and strengthen cooperation with the United States on policy toward China.

The project on Bolstering U.S.-South Korean Cooperation to Meet the China Challenge will evaluate South Korea’s options and choices in the context of the rising U.S.-China rivalry and critically evaluate five topics that have the most direct relevance to expanded policy coordination between Seoul and Washington: 1) supply chain resiliency and the securitization of technological development; 2) promotion of joint development of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI); 3) upholding shared democratic values and human rights priorities; 4) strengthening U.S. and South Korean approaches toward Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific; and 5) joint strategies for crisis management in the context of a cross-strait contingency or regional conflict.

The project will result in a book, as well as articles, policy briefings, and meetings, that will assess the extent to which U.S. and South Korean policymakers can better align and coordinate policies toward China in these five critical areas.

This project is made possible through the support of the Smith Richardson Foundation.

Blogs

Supply Chains

On November 28, 2023, the Council on Foreign Relations’ program on U.S.-Korea Policy held an in-person workshop on U.S.-South Korea policy coordination toward China on supply chain resiliency. 

Supply Chains

The fifth workshop for the project on Bolstering U.S.-South Korean Cooperation to Meet the China Challenge examined how the United States and South Korea should strengthen policy coordination on supply chain resiliency. 

Taiwan

On November 14, 2023, the Council on Foreign Relations’ program on U.S.-Korea Policy held an in-person workshop on U.S.-South Korea policy coordination toward China on maritime security.

Taiwan

The fourth workshop for the project on Bolstering U.S.-South Korean Cooperation to Meet the China Challenge examined how the United States and South Korea should strengthen maritime security cooperation.

Technology and Innovation

On November 1, 2023, the Council on Foreign Relations’ program on U.S.-Korea Policy held a virtual workshop on U.S.-South Korea policy coordination toward China on advanced technology.

Technology and Innovation

The third workshop for the project on Bolstering U.S.-South Korean Cooperation to Meet the China Challenge examined the opportunities and challenges ahead for the U.S.-South Korea technology partnership.

Democracy

On June 26, 2023, the Council on Foreign Relations’ program on U.S.-Korea Policy held a virtual workshop on U.S.-South Korean policy coordination toward China on democratic values and human rights.

Democracy

The second workshop for the project on Bolstering U.S.-South Korean Cooperation to Meet the China Challenge examined the prospects for enhanced U.S.-South Korean normative cooperation and alignment. 

Indo-Pacific

On June 7, 2023, the Council on Foreign Relations’ program on U.S.-Korea Policy held a virtual workshop on U.S.-South Korean policy coordination toward the Indo-Pacific region.

Indo-Pacific

The first workshop for the project on Bolstering U.S.-South Korean Cooperation to Meet the China Challenge examined the opportunities and obstacles for enhanced U.S.-South Korean policy coordination in the Indo-Pacific region.
No publications were found for this project.