Balancing Alliance Commitments and Strategic Autonomy: A Study on the Domestic Political Logic of the Yoon Suk Yeol Administration's Strengthening of the U.S.-ROK Alliance

Ruiqi Yang

doi:10.54097/sjzay202

Authors

Ruiqi Yang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/sjzay202

Keywords:

Yoon Suk Yeol Administration, Domestic Politics, Three-Layer Analytical Model, Strategic Adjustment.

Abstract

Since the inauguration of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration in 2022, South Korea's foreign strategy has shifted from "strategic ambiguity" to "strategic clarity," marked by a comprehensive strengthening of the U.S.-ROK alliance through measures such as upgrading military cooperation, promoting historical reconciliation with Japan, and joining the "Chip 4 Alliance." This abrupt policy change stands in stark contrast to the preceding Moon Jae-in administration. Existing research struggles to fully explain this "rupture-like" adjustment. This paper, based on a three-layer "Structure-Cognition-Strategy" analytical model, dissects the domestic political logic within South Korea. At the structural level, the interest demands of the "politico-business-military" complex and institutional path dependence provide the material and institutional foundation. At the cognitive level, conservative ideology, "values-based diplomacy," and specific security perceptions define the policy direction. At the strategic level, the politicization of issues within political competition and the mobilization of public opinion through "external threat" narratives clear the path for policy implementation. The study shows that the interaction and self-reinforcement of these three domestic political mechanisms are the core drivers behind the Yoon administration's alliance-strengthening policy. The "Structure-Cognition-Strategy" model constructed herein not only enriches research on the strategic choices of middle powers but also provides empirical reference for related countries in formulating policies towards South Korea.

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