weak country; small and powerless nation
Refers to a nation that is militarily, economically, or politically weak, often contrasted with 強国 (strong country).
That small country was a weak nation surrounded by powerful neighbors.
弱国 is a weak or minor nation, the direct opposite of a 強国, a strong and powerful one.
Compound of 弱 (jaku, 'weak') and 国 (koku, 'country'). The reading じゃっこく results from the gemination of く to っ before a voiceless consonant.