South Korea’s relationships with China and the United States

South Korea and China have a complex relationship. For many decades, South Korea was much more economically advanced than China and it is regarded by the United States as a key ally in Asia, helping to maintain the balance of power as a counterweight to Communism. Yet since China has become increasingly powerful in economic terms, it has found ways to pressure South Korea into meeting its demands. China also retains friendly relations with North Korea - a country with an army which stands pre...