Historically, the Korean Peninsula has acted as a pivot over which continental and maritime powers vie for control and influence.

Middle powers were framed in a different era. Indeed, there is a strong argument to be made that they only existed in the period 1940-2000.

Two decades ago, South Korea was rarely called a middle power. Today, it invites ridicule to suggest South Korea is anything but.

It’s fair to imagine that by this stage, an objective observer would caution against using the middle power term to describe South Korea.

How South Korea responds to Russia's invasion of Ukraine will shape the type of middle power Seoul will become.

When learning how to become a North Korea Watcher, what are good skills to have and what types of analysis shuold you avoid?