South Korea’s Future Strategies for Better Peace Operations

Abstract

This study begins by introducing the UN Secretary-General’s new drive for reforming the architecture of UN peace operations and why South Korea needs to seize the moment by responding positively to the A4P Initiative. This study suggests that South Korea should explore new strategies by hosting the Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting in 2022 and preparing for delivering its strategic message to the world to become a key player in UN peace operations. This study argues that South Korea’s active participation in international peacekeeping activities would not only have a positive effect on building a future-oriented U.S.-South Korea alliance but also on contributing further to bring a regional peace as President Moon’s emphasis on bringing peace through political settlement has much in common with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ principle of enhancing political strategies to advance lasting political solutions. Finally, this study strongly recommends that South Korea must explore new modes of contribution rather than sticking with boots on the ground. This study also touches upon diversification by suggesting the inclusion of civilian experts and police components to the existing military-only peacekeepers. As mentioned by the Independent Panel on UN Diplomacy, the reorganization and expansion of the PKO center also needs to be considered as a high priority. Having said that, South Korea’s new strategy must start with small steps to create an initiative to earn support from many strategic partners in the field, officials from UN headquarters and receiving states. This study concludes with seven policy recommendations, hoping that South Korea transforms itself into a frontrunner for building a robust PKO and making future peacekeeping more effective.