From the birth of civilization to the crisis of the new Cold War in the 21st century,
Insight into the direction of world history through geography
“My First Geopolitics Lesson”

Why is India so close to Russia, which invaded Ukraine?
Why is Palestine called a '21st-century powder keg'?
Why does the United States intervene in every major war in the world?
Why does China have border disputes with so many countries?
Why should the world be interested in peace on the Korean Peninsula?

My First Geopolitics Lesson, Revised Edition, 2024.
This is an expanded edition that reflects the current situation in West Asia, which has been receiving a lot of attention recently, and adds an additional description of the Palestinian conflict in Chapter 2 (pp. 79-86).
There has never been a single day when mankind remained at one point on the map.
People walked and walked in search of better environments, found fertile lands, gave birth to civilizations and nations, and spread culture and resources to other countries along roads and waters.
In the process of discovery and development, conflicts, big and small, constantly occurred.
The best choices for survival and prosperity are recorded in history on the map.
The starting point of that choice was the geographical factors that determined whether the environment was truly conducive to survival, and the history of competition for prosperity ultimately led to various conflicts and clashes between nations to this day.
Geographical environments, including terrain, climate, resources, and access to the ocean, cannot be changed by human power.
Geography influences human activities such as politics, economy, and culture.
Ultimately, where we are 'located' and how we utilize our geographical conditions determines the fate of individuals and nations, and has a significant impact on the future.

Through fierce competition and diplomacy between nations, not only materials but also tangible and intangible resources such as people, information, and finance are moved and distributed.
Geopolitics is the discipline that structurally understands and analyzes these complex relationships and processes.

--- p.13 From “Chapter 0_Geopolitics, an eye that sees through the world’s movements”

If a large-scale war breaks out in the unstable Middle East or an unexpected terrorist attack paralyzes the Suez Canal, the global economy could face a serious crisis.
Our economy, which relies heavily on overseas trade, will inevitably be immediately affected.
So, geopolitically, the Suez Canal is both a shortcut to the global economy and a critical juncture.

--- p.51 From “Chapter 1: The History of Mankind Beginning in the Basins of Great Rivers”

Relations between the United States and China are currently in a precarious state, ready to explode at the slightest touch, whether political, economic, or diplomatic.
China's rapid growth is irritating the United States, which has seized global hegemony.
The United States has formed a united front with allies such as South Korea, Japan, Australia, and Canada, while China has built a new force based on the existing Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
It is the 'One Belt, One Road' economic belt that connects the continent and the ocean.

--- p.55 From “Chapter 2_The Center of Eurasia, Central Asia, West Asia, and South Asia”

Currently, voices from civic groups and academics supporting the independence of the Palestinian Republic and criticizing Israel are growing louder within American society.
Nevertheless, the Jews who move America
The influence continues to support Israel.
What will become of the United States, a dominant force in the geopolitical world? And how should our country, a longtime ally of the United States, view the Palestinian conflict? If we view the world as a mosaic composed of small tiles connected together, we too are not immune to the Palestinian conflict.

--- p.86 From “Chapter 2_The Center of Eurasia, Central Asia, West Asia, and South Asia”

Countries that share a border often have different geopolitical histories, even though they are close together.
The closer they are, the greater their influence on each other, and the more conflict there is bound to be as they try to expand their influence while protecting the author's borders.
As Austria, a great power, declined due to Napoleon's activities, this became an opportunity for Prussia, which was adjacent to Austria, to become relatively stronger.
Prussia, divided into small principalities, developed a national consciousness under threat from surrounding great powers and laid the foundation for unification.

--- p.118 From “Chapter 3: Geopolitics of Integration and Separation: Europe”

Russia is growing increasingly anxious as Ukraine, feeling threatened by Russia's annexation of Crimea, announces its intention to join NATO.
Russia, dissatisfied with NATO's eastward expansion by joining the Baltic states and Poland, eventually invaded Ukraine in February 2022, starting a war under the pretext of demilitarizing Ukraine.
Although the damage from the war is growing by the day, NATO has regained its cohesion, and through this, the United States has been able to check Russia and further increase its influence in Europe.

--- p.131 From “Chapter 3: Geopolitics of Integration and Separation: Europe”

Panama is a very small country, but it took advantage of this geopolitical situation to completely disband its own army in 1994.
It was a rational judgment that there was no need to spend money to maintain an army, since if someone invaded Panama, the United States, which had to protect the Panama Canal, would come to Panama's rescue.
Considering geopolitical interests is not only necessary for great powers.
Even a small country like Panama uses its geopolitical interests to make wise choices.

--- p.155 From “Chapter 4_From an Unknown Land to the Center of the World, America”

As of 2020, China's lending to Africa exceeded 110 trillion won (approximately $100 billion USD).
This represents 12% of the total lending amount on the African continent.
This also means that China is exerting influence over African countries.
This is why the international community criticizes China's usurious behavior, comparing it to post-Europe or post-imperialism.

--- p.
190 From “Chapter 5: Africa, the Land Where Pain and Hope Coexist”

During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union were military powers possessing nuclear weapons, and if a direct war broke out between the two countries, there was a great risk that it would escalate into a world war.
So, there were many cases where a supporting country was put forward to fight the war on their behalf.
(…) The Middle East wars that have been fought several times since 1948 are also wars between Israel, which declared independence and the establishment of a nation, and the Arab bloc that opposed it, but behind the scenes, they can be seen as examples of proxy wars fought with the United States and the Soviet Union supporting Israel and Arab countries, respectively.

--- p.197 From “Chapter 6: The Front Line of the New Cold War, East Asia and Southeast Asia”

The phenomenon in which the United States and China have moved beyond conflict and entered a full-scale war for hegemony based on economic issues such as industry and trade is called the "New Cold War."
In the new Cold War era, international relations prioritize national political and economic interests over ideologies such as communism or capitalism.
The alliance system can be broken at any time if it runs counter to one's own interests.
Now, the East Asian and Southeast Asian countries, positioned at the center of the battlefield, are no longer passive in their responses to the demands of the great powers as they were in the past.

--- p.215 From “Chapter 6: The Front Line of the New Cold War, East Asia and Southeast Asia”

As our national power grows, our actions must become more meticulous.
We must not take today's progress and peace for granted, but always think about tomorrow.
We must carefully observe the balance of power among the major powers surrounding the Korean Peninsula through a geopolitical lens and cultivate a geographic imagination that can pass on an unwavering peace to future generations.
Peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the world depends on us, the people who will live in the future.

--- p.258 From “Chapter 7: Beyond Geopolitical Limits, the Korean Peninsula”