3 Reasons Why Korea is the Key to Asia's Security

Korea is the most strategic region in northern Asia. China, Japan, Russia and the US all depend on Korea for their security. 3 maritime reasons will be analyzed in this first video: First, the Yellow Sea; Second, the Tsushima strait; third, the first island chain.
These three regions makes Korea so strategic in the eyes of its neighbours: China, Japan, Russia and the US.

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Script editing and proof-reading by Squid Man and Sterling
Many thanks to Jasper, Sterling and @Hoog for their precious help!

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Music: Premiumbeats

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Check my previous videos:

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Bibliography

[4] IISS, 2022, Military Balance 2021

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Table of content:

00:00 Intro
02:22 Korea's Geography and History
05:52 China greatest strategic weakness
07:22 Korea's first strategic value: The Yellow Sea
08:05 Sponsor: Masterworks
10:15 Main military actors in the Yellow Sea
13:56 Korea's second strategic value: The Tsushima strait
15:26 Russia and China reliance on the Tsushima Strait
16:22 US reliance on the Tsushima Strait
17:12 The first Island Chain
18:47 Conclusion

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Thank you for reading up to here!

[Ganjil]

As a Mongolian, my admiration for the Korean people goes great length. Koreans have gone through such a heartbreaking hardship their entire history and now they triumph as economic, cultural and political leader in the region. The last bastions of democracy, human rights, and economic freedom in the entire Asia region is pretty much Japan and Korea right at the moment. Mongolia still clings to democracy and looks up to Korea as a role model. But we couldn’t have asked for worse neighbors. Wish we bordered Korea.

[parmenideskim]

Throughout history, whenever Korea was strong, the whole of Northeast Asia was peaceful. In 1019, more than 100, 000 cavalries of the Khitan empire, who were considered to outperform Genghis Khan's army, were slaughtered by the Korean army on the Korean Peninsula, and the Khitan empire had to give up their dream of conquering China. Even in the 19th century, if Korea had not become a Japanese colony, Japan's invasion of China and World War II would not have occurred.

[aa-mbrs]

That part where you rotated the map to highlight the string of islands, turning what I originally perceived to be just a random collection of rocks into a giant barricade suffocating the Chinese access to the ocean was a nice touch, the single image really did speak stronger than a thousand words

[rbalsdldiify]

I’ve heard someone saying that the times when East Asia was in turmoil was exactly when Korea was vulnerable and unable to maintain balance between regional powers.

If Korea, better united, stands strong then there would be no problem between great powers, such as US, China, and Japan.

[felineboy]

Your quality has improoved soooo much so proud of you
Been here since the first two videos

[kenllacer]

Thank you for your continued interest in topics concerning maritime East Asia! Your videos not only look good, but are well researched and thought of! It's almost surreal watching this when you live so close to the disputed islands and waterways. Having China, Russia, and North Korea as neighbors is not easy (No Schengen areas here!). There is even talk that if not for the United States constantly sending it's top diplomats, Japan and S. Korea would not be in friendly terms and would sooner fight each other than ally against China and North Korea--it is a very tumultuous relationship.
Now I know you mentioned that you'll be doing a series on Korea, but please consider a future video on the Kuril Islands dispute between Russia and Japan or even possibly, the Philippines as the weak link in the First Island Chain, and China's Nine-dash line claims. Thanks again!

[papakairu]

I am a South Korean and I'm very impressed at the level of research, accuracy, and quality of this video. There were some mispronunciations, but that's not as important. Amazing content.

[jameswyre]

Good job and you are a welcome addition to my geopolitics channels. I have long realized the importance of Korea to the US and to actual republics worldwide. My grandfather was an engineer in the German and then Japanese occupations. He was dragged into the Korean War due to his considerable skills which had included building bridges under fire for Patton’s army. He ended up an adviser to 1st ROK which included combat duties. He impressed on me his high opinion of the Korean military and people and our common interests.

[jezusbloodie]

Great video! I really appreciate your decision to rotate the maps a lot. Although jarring to many, I've noticed from comments on similar channels that expiremented with it, i find that it can drasticly shift perspective, as our eyes move easier horizontally than vertically, and reveal connections, shapes and relationships as the map distortion morphs

[ydyfdpy]

Hi, I'm a korean. Thanks for your video I have learn new geographic perspective of my country. It really helped me to understand korea current situation. Great video!

[FOLIPE]

I never realized Korea was, geographically, turned towards facing China. I think it would be interesting to talk about how Korea is pushed to behave in the China-US dispute by its geography.

[nvincible]

The international official name of the Tsushima Strait mentioned in the video is the Korean Strait. In Korea, the northern part of Tsushima Island is called the Busan Strait and the southern part is called the Tsushima Strait, but in Japan, only the northern part of Tsushima Island is called the Joseon Strait.

[haruthewhiteninja]

These videos are absolutely next level.

[selleneus]

Hello Kamome this video is truly relevant given the current situation of Taiwan, it is absolutely important that Korea, seen as another front of China's expansive policy, gets attention especially given the recent headlines of the PLA aggressive actions in the Taiwanese straits. Even though there is no need, I'll always say continue with your progress, your work is fantastic.

[nniiczu]

As a korean, I really appreciate for this great video. Because of the important features caused by central location, korea has gone through lots of hardships. And it is still on going. This video can show such things objectively.

[snowmochi]

Issue with Socotra Rocks isn’t a territory dispute as it’s not a territory. It’s a underwater rock. Therefore, the ‘border’ should be halfway between China and Korea which puts Socotra Rocks under Korean EEZ.

[msk-qpfn]

I always joke that Korea's is always essentially yelling LEAVE US ALONE at Japan and China. Not just now or during the Josen Dynasty, but even before that. It's not just centuries, it's millenia of struggling in between those two. Definitely explains Korea's ingrained extreme love-hate sentiment and skepticism towards both China and Japan.

[FALprofessional]

These are really good visualizations: smooth, not too flashy, and informative. Subscribed. Keep it up. 🙂

[ryanrrree]

What a well explained, well researched and interesting video! Thank you for this deep analysis as well as the few jokes you popped in there, they really made me laugh. Possibly my new favourite channel 😁😁

[primetimeclips]

The greatest aspect of your videos is when you rotate the maps. Such an integral part of understanding a nations individual perspective.