The perception of ‘threat’ has played a central role in South Korea’s short history. Born out of the Cold War divide between East and West, South Korea emerged into a world governed by insecurity, fear and division – not least on the peninsula it inhabited. Whilst this notion of threat has, undoubtedly, been central to the very definition of a South Korean identity, changes in its society are beginning to challenge this conventional wisdom.

In the aftermath of the Korean War, Seoul acted to ensure its political and military security against a very real North Korean threat, whilst its National