Using a multifaceted approach, it examines how the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) has sought to transform itself from a coastal naval force focused solely on deterring North Korea to a navy capable of operating in the blue waters of East Asia and beyond.

1. Chapter 1: Introduction.- 2. Chapter 2: North Korea and Deterrence at Sea.- 3. Chapter 3: To the Blue-water.- 4. Chapter 4: Force Modernisation and Integration.- 5. Chapter 5: The United States and the ROKN.- 6. Chapter 6: Creating a Naval Identity.- 7. Chapter 7: Politics, Strategy and Naval Modernisation.- 8. Chapter 8: Conclusion

This book sheds light on one of the most under-studied but powerful navies in the world. Using a multifaceted approach, it examines how the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) has sought to transform itself from a coastal naval force focused solely on deterring North Korea to a navy capable of operating in the blue waters of East Asia and beyond. The project argues that peninsular and regional security dynamics, technological developments, the US-South Korea alliance and internal politics combine to inform and shape ROKN modernisation.  

Ian Bowers is Associate Professor at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies, Oslo, Norway.

“The security situation in the Korean peninsula has been catapulted into the world's attention because of the urgent need to stop the North's nuclear programme. But this is just one part of the issue. South Korea's maritime policy is also of critical and growing importance, as it both reflects and helps shape the strategic context between the two Koreas and their allies, near and far. Yet this aspect of Korean security has been sadly neglected - until now, with the publication of Ian Bower's first rate and deeply expert review of the past present and future of the Navy of the Republic of Korea. At last this long-standing gap in the literature has been filled.” (Geoffrey Till, Professor, King’s College London, UK)

“In this ground-breaking book, Ian Bowers changes the way we look at Korean security. Drawing upon uncovered primary documents, Bowers shows how the modernisation of the South Korean Navy has been defined by the need to balance the North Korean military threat against the country’s international ambitions. In this innovative work, Bowers proves that the study of the navy is a journey into the complex links between South Korean politics, economics, and geopolitical conditions.” (Alessio Patalano, Reader in War Studies, King’s College London, UK)

Makes an important contribution to the literatures on East Asian naval modernisation, the Korean Peninsula and South Korean security policy Examines how the Republic of Korea Navy is developing a strategy to respond to changes in North Korea’s threat profile while also managing the potential threat posed by China and great power competition in East Asia Provides unique insights in to the maritime dimension of the US-South Korea alliance