The Hedging Strategy of Korea : A Historical Comparative Analysis of Korean Diplomatic Strategies from the 9th Century to the 19th Century

In the field of International Relations, hedging strategy means that a state, when it faces a sudden emergence of rising power, chooses a flexible diplomatic strategy in order to maximize its interest or to minimize its loss. The article argues that hedging strategy can be influenced by both of material and non-material elements, although it is in the realm of Realism. According to Realism, when a state faces emergence of rising power, it will choose either bandwagoning or balancing. However, in reality, as we have witnessed, states actually have wider spectrum of choices, especially when the rising power''s capability and intention of revisionism(or invasion) is not clear. Therefore, this research aims at analyzing the process of hedging strategy and proving how material and non-material elements influence its result. The history of Korea, Goryeo-Liao, Chosun-Later Jin and Chosun''s open-harbor period, will be analyzed as three case studies. Confucianism will be studied as non-material elements. When ancient dynasties of Korea adopted hedging strategy, the motivation is based on material power. However, during the process of implementing the strategy, non-material element also influenced its result, sometimes even could lead the policy to failure. Therefore, the article is designed to illustrate how hedging strategy is adopted against emerging power and to prove the influence of material and non-material elements during the process of it.