Bringing International Anti-Landmine Norms to Domestic Politics: Korea Campaign to Ban Landmines as an Effective Intermediary

Abstract

This paper assesses the role of the Korea Campaign to Ban Landmines (KCBL) in the internalization of anti-landmine norms in the Republic of Korea. The KCBL, a NGO network specializing in landmine issues, has been a successful intermediary between international anti-landmine norms and domestic politics. It has carried out fact-finding surveys to reveal the existence of landmine victims who were overshadowed by security concerns, and has co-opted politicians and other social movement groups to increase awareness of landmines as a human security threat. Also, it has pressured the Korean government to give up “dumb” landmines and clear landmine fields in the rear. The Korean government, which has faced a dilemma between international criticism and security concerns, has partially incorporated anti-landmine norms, even though it refused to sign the Ottawa Convention in 1997. Furthermore, the National Assembly has been reviewing a few draft bills which would compensate landmine victims. This case shows that non-governmental actors can play a crucial role in internalizing international norms in domestic politics.