Instructor: Prof. BaconPresenter: HAN, Sung-Ju

Asia Multilateralism：Korea Perspectives

SOUTH KOREA’S BACKGROUND AND HISTORY

The South Korea’s Background

The South Korea’s History 1949-the Pacific Security Pact, under

US leadership 1953-the signing of South Korea-US

Mutual Defense Treaty Late 1960s and 1970s-détente In 1972, Richard Nixon visited

Beijing, withdrew one of the infantry divisions stationed in South Korea, which stained alliance relationship

October 18th, 1988, President Roh Tae-Woo called for the six-party consultative conference for peace in Northeast Asia.

December 1991, the signing of the Agreement of Reconciliation, Nonaggression, and Exchanges and Cooperation

In 1993, President Kim Young-sam declared…

The South Korea’s History

The South Korea’s HistoryHistory-the Atmosphere in International Society is Changing Fast

2012.11.19 ASEAN Summit in Cambodia

2012.5.13Trilateral Summit in Beijing

SOUTH KOREA’S EVOLVING PERSPECTIVE ON REGIONAL MULTILATERALISM

Summary-to Learn from History The separation of the Korea

continent along parallel 38 The end of cold world and the

restoration of democracy in the late 1980s, South Korea seek alliance with US.

Maritime-continent confrontation is not in the interest of Korean people.

Summary-to Learn from History The US prefer to deal with Asian

nations on a bilateral basis In the early cold world period,

South Korea tried to diplomatically isolate the North. (International legitimacy game)

Maintain US-South Korea alliance. Building regional forum for

cooperation among the major powers of the North-eastern Asia countries for engagement with North Korea.

Summary-What is Important for South Korea

Countries in the Northeast Asia should participate in the six part talks …

Multi-lateral security cooperation is an increasingly important object in South Korea’s foreign policy.

In promoting multilateral security cooperation in Northeast Asia, South Korea drew inspiration from the European experience…

Summary-What Best SuitsSouth Korea’s National Interests

DEBATE IN SOUTH KOREA ABOUT REGIONAL MULTILATERALISM

Asia-centric approach Give priority to building a regional

community. Emphasize that Asian nations’

collective interests are best protected by building their own community.

Strengthening the bilateral alliance runs counter to the objective of creating a regional community.

US-centric approach South Korea’s best option is to curb

its enthusiasm for regional multilateralism and strengthen its bilateral alliances with Washington.

South Korea should strengthen its alliances not only to guard against Chinese hegemony but also to prevent Japanese rearmament and to continue engagement with North Korea.

US-in-Asia approach 1 Try to combine the benefits of

bilateral alliance and regional multilateralism and thus support multilateral cooperation that includes the United States.

Regional multilateralism is a mean of containing the great powers and preventing continental-maritime confrontation in Asia.

US-in-Asia approach 2 To combine hedging alliances and

inclusive multilateral arrangements will be a stabilizing force in the region.

To engages in middle-power diplomacy to promote regional multilateralism.

To strike a fine balance between the two tasks.

Historical Disputes Historical issues have had a great deal

of impact on both bilateral and multilateral relations in Northeast Asia.

Japan should apologize to the victims of the aggression instead of trying to beautify the past.

These retrogression raise basic questions of trust and impede progress in bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

PERSONAL INTERPRETATION

Things I liked and didn’t like The article analyzes the situation

among South Korea, China, Japan, and US.

The important role of US in this region is explained.

------------------------------------------ However, it didn’t talk much about

the relationship between North Korea.

National security/economic development…

Things I Agree and didn’t Agree With Nationalism was instrumental to the

outbreak of historical hostilities in Asia as well as in other parts of the world.

------------------------------------------- To make the six-party talks into a

more permanent multilateral security arrangement. (not an easy task…)

Things I didn’t Understand… President Roh Moo-hyun’s stance and

political intention behind his policy decision…

Conclusion-for South Korea to Look Ahead

Adopting a US-in-Asia approach Formulate and communicate its

position in a clear future. Strike a balance between its

alliance with the US and its pursuit of regional multilateralism.

A regional cooperation scheme should provide a “big picture” for all.

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS…

Thank you for your attention!!