Chosŏn Korea and Thailand's Entangled History: Britain, Russia, and the Question of the Buffer State in Nineteenth-Century Asia.

The article examines the roles of Korea and Thailand as buffer states during the late nineteenth century amid imperial competition, particularly between Britain and Russia. It highlights how Korea, traditionally aligned with China, struggled to assert its agency and secure its independence, ultimately failing to achieve a neutralized status despite attempts to leverage its geopolitical position. In contrast, Thailand adeptly navigated the pressures from both Britain and France, successfully maintaining its sovereignty through strategic diplomacy and formal agreements that recognized its independence. The study underscores the differing outcomes for these two states, emphasizing the importance of leadership, internal cohesion, and the ability to engage with major powers in shaping their respective fates as buffer states. [Extracted from the article]