The Politics of Nationalism in U.S.-Korean Relations

Abstract

Korean nationalism, having arisen historically as an ideology of anti-imperialism and anti-colonialism, has fostered ethnic unity among Koreans based on shared ancestry and blood. This article addresses how the anti-imperialist and the ethnic base of Korean nationalism have shaped inter-Korean relations and the relationship between both Koreas and the United States. First, the article discusses the historical process behind the formation of Korean nationalism and how nationalism has shaped North and South Korean society and politics after 1945. It looks at how nationalism has affected inter-Korean relations and might affect future unification processes. After reviewing how nationalism has shaped both Koreas’ relations to the United States, the article ends with a discussion of the implications of the politics of nationalism for inter-Korean and U.S.-Korean relations.