THE CULTURAL DIPLOMACY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

In the 21st century, competition between states is carried out not only through economic and military power but also through "soft power". This power is primarily exercised through culture, language, art, mass media, and education. From this perspective, the cultural diplomacy policy pursued by the Republic of Korea in recent decades has been attracting global attention. On the international stage, Korea has created a unique "soft power" sphere through its rich cultural heritage, contemporary pop culture (K-pop), cinema, TV dramas (K-drama), gastronomy, and dance arts. The Korean government has made the promotion of the "Korean Wave" (Hallyu) phenomenon a crucial part of its state policy on a global scale. Through this phenomenon, South Korea is not only exporting its culture but also expanding its economic interests, international prestige, and geopolitical influence. As a result of this approach, the Republic of Korea is recognized as a successful example of the implementation of the "soft power" strategy on the global stage. This article systematically analyzes the process of shaping Korean cultural diplomacy, its main instruments, government policies, the components of the Hallyu wave, and their impact on international relations. Keywords: Cultural Diplomacy, Soft Power, Korean Wave (Hallyu), K-pop, K-drama, Cultural Export, Global Influence, Geopolitical Diplomacy, Pop Culture, Korean Art.