East Asian Regional Architecture in the Network Society and the Role of Korea

Abstract

The East Asian regional architecture has evolved rapidly for the past decade since the 1997 East Asian economic crisis, but forming any type of East Asian regional architecture was not fully successful. This article seeks to find the role of Korea regarding the East Asian regional architecture in the network society and raises three questions: Does East Asia need regional integration? What kind of regional integration should East Asia pursue? What can be the role of Korea? This article suggests the open regionalism as an answer and asserts that Korea as a middle power might take the role of a mediator and a vision provider. The whole and perfect integration of a region is not possible. Then pursuing openness and allowing the joining of new actors might be much profitable. Korea's strategic choice should be taking the role of a mediator and a vision provider emphasizing the power of openness and culture. Openness and culture are soft, but they can make the user punch beyond his/her weight.