South Korea is a test case in how to maintain democracy against sustained pressure from dictatorship. The innovative and entrepreneurial country lives in the shadow of China and Russia, and its capital Seoul lies only 50km from the North Korean border. It hasn't been easy, but the difficulties South Korea faces and the way it deals with them could prove invaluable for other regional neighbours in responding to future economic and military aggression.

Journalist Matt Smith has this special report…

Guests

Dr Troy Lee Brown — Research Fellow, Defense and Security Institute, University of Western Australia

Professor Bec Strating — Director, La Trobe Asia and Professor of International Relations at La Trobe University

Dr Mike Bosack — Special Advisor for Government Relations, Yokosuka Council for Asia-Pacific Studies

Dongkeun Lee — Policy Fellow, Asia-Pacific Leadership Network

Dr Duyeon Kim — Adjunct Senior Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security Program, Centre for New American Security