The Shrimp Among Whales

South Korea stands at the crossroads of global power - caught between China, the United States, Japan, and its unpredictable neighbor to the north. Jacob Shapiro and Professor Jeffrey Robertson unpack how a nation long described as “the shrimp among whales” has learned to navigate the world’s toughest geopolitical waters. From shifting alliances and nuclear restraint to the economic promise of unification, this episode reveals how Korea’s pragmatism may shape the future of Asia.

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Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction

(01:45) - Professor Jeff Robinson

(02:08) - Jeff's Background and Experience in South Korea

(02:55) - South Korea's Rapid Changes and Current Events

(04:54) - US-South Korea Relations and Historical Context

(12:43) - South Korea's Domestic Politics and Policy

(16:51) - South Korea-Japan Relations

(19:59) - South Korea's Perception of China

(24:05) - South Korea's Stance on Taiwan and Nuclear Deterrent

(25:48) - Nuclear Deterrence on the Korean Peninsula

(27:40) - North Korea's Current Status and International Relations

(29:10) - Prospects of Korean Peninsula Unification

(37:57) - South Korea's Economic and Demographic Challenges

(41:56) - Australia-South Korea Relations

(48:27) - Impact of US-South Korea Relations on Education and Future Prospects

(50:42) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Referenced in the Show:

Jeffrey Robinson's Website: https://junotane.com/

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Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com

Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416

Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap

Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe

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The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com

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Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today’s volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.

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