South Korea's Security Research Articles

1960년대 말 한국의 SEATO 가입 검토 연구

This study addresses the question of why the South Korean government sought to join the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) in the late 1960s, despite the existence of the South Korea-U.S. alliance. The research identifies South Korea's consideration of SEATO membership as a response to a series of security threats faced by the country after 1968, such as the January 21 Blue House raid, the capture of the USS Pueblo, and the implications of the Nixon Doctrine. In response to these threats, the South Korean government sought to reinforce the U.S. security commitment to South Korea by attempting to revise the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty and to establish new multilateral security organizations in Asia, such as the Asia-Pacific Treaty Organization (APATO). However, these efforts faltered, leading the South Korean government to consider SEATO membership as a last resort to strengthening its security through alliances. Despite SEATO not providing a qualitative improvement in U.S. security commitments, membership could have functioned as a dual safety net alongside the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty. However, South Korea's attempt to join SEATO was based on the strategic miscalculation that SEATO would persist and strengthen, and it did not foresee the U.S. opposition to Korean membership. From the U.S. perspective, any expansion of security commitments in Asia was untenable, and South Korea's SEATO membership was seen as an unacceptable policy extension. In conclusion, the failure to join SEATO marked a turning point where South Korea's security policy shifted from prioritizing alliances to prioritizing self-reliance, leading to the full-fledged emergence of the self-defense policy in the 1970s.

Poverty and social security in South Korea

Poverty and social security in South Korea

The effects of organizational images on security compliance intention: focused on affection and job security in South Korea

This study investigates the factors influencing Korean corporate workers to increase their intention to comply with security voluntarily. Specifically, this study investigates whether organizational attractiveness affects employees' intention to comply with security. In addition, this study will examine whether affection and job security, which represent the Korean corporate image, affect organizational attractiveness. 477 data collecting online survey was used to test the research model. Participants for our survey were derived from workers and public officials in South Korea. The results were as follows. First, the symbolic image of being affectionate influences the instrumental image of job security. Second, an instrumental image has a significantly positive effect on corporate attractiveness. Third, it was found that job security increased the attractiveness of the organization perceived by the employees and, in turn, increased the intention of the employees to comply with the organization's security. Our findings can be used to develop strategies to enhance security compliance intention within firms.

Energy security risk and financial development nexus: Disaggregated level evidence from South Korea by cross-quantilogram approach

Countries have been aiming to reduce dependence on fossil fuel energy and increase the use of clean energy. In this context, energy security has become one of the most important issues for countries, especially in light of the recent energy crisis that threatens energy security. The financial structure of the countries can be also influential in ensuring energy security. By taking higher fossil fuel energy dependence resulting in higher energy security risk (ESR) and higher financial development (FD) into consideration, the study analyzes how FD affects energy security in South Korea, which is an important case and neglected in the current literature. To do so, the study considers the ESR index as the dependent variable, uses disaggregated level FD indicators as explanatory variables, conducts a novel cross-quantilogram method to account for the quantile dependence, and uses data between 1980/Q2 and 2018/Q4. The findings reveal that (i) disaggregated level FD indicators are powerful estimators of ESR; (ii) the financial markets component has a much stronger effect on ESR than the financial institutions component; (iii) the effect of FD sub-components on ESR varies across quantiles; (vi) the predictive power of the FD indicators on ESR weakens as time (lag) passes. The study emphasizes the critical role of FD on ESR, which implies that South Korean policymakers should consider the significant effect of FD and its sub-components as well as changing structure across quantiles and time-lags in shaping policy framework to ensure energy security. Based on the outcomes, South Korea can benefit from FD to mitigate ESR and ensure economic and environmental sustainability.

Resettlement of Ethnic Koreans in South Korea: A Comprehensive Review.

In this article, authors delve into the historical journey of ethnic Koreans relocating to South Korea from CIS countries, where they are commonly referred to as «koryoin» or «koryo-saram». The study conducted by the authors meticulously analyzes the migration patterns of Korean repatriates, identifying key stages and motivations for returning to their ancestral homeland. Furthermore, the research sheds light on the legislative frameworks and policy changes implemented by the South Korean government to facilitate the smooth integration of repatriates. By examining the evolution of these laws and initiatives, we gain insight into the structured mechanisms developed over years of experience to support this migration flow. One crucial aspect explored in this study is the challenge of integrating ethnic Koreans into the host society, which manifests at various levels influenced by subjective perspectives. The article highlights the obstacles they encounter in their new environment. Notably, repatriates have formed close-knit networks to navigate these challenges, albeit posing potential disruptions to societal stability and security in South Korea. Consequently, the imperative of addressing the integration of «koryo saram» and other ethnic Koreans into the broader society emerges as a pressing concern for South Korea. By fostering a deeper understanding of these integration dynamics and advocating for inclusive practices, South Korea can strive towards a more cohesive and harmonious multicultural landscape.

A hybrid simulation framework for predicting virus impacts on Chinese cabbage yields

AbstractSustainable production of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.) is essential for the economy and food security in South Korea. However, climate change poses significant threats to its growth and quality. Changes in precipitation patterns, such as drought and heavy rain, can affect the development of crop, leading to stunted growth or disease. This can lead to significant losses in crop yield. In this study, a hybrid modeling system was developed to predict the incidence of viral disease and evaluate impacts of combination of virus infection and environmental variabilities (including climate and location) on marketable cabbage yields. The crop growth model was successfully developed using a limited number (n = 7) of previous studies (root mean square error 0.25–0.33 Mg ha−1, R2 = 0.87–0.99). The developed hybrid modeling system was composed of a virus incident model and a crop growth model. According to simulated results, all study locations had around 20% incidence rates. However, based on the simulation results, the rates of viral disease incidence varied depending on the climate of each year. Among several climatic factors, precipitation had the greatest effect on virus outbreaks. Jeju Island, which had relatively high rainfall, had a higher disease incidence rate than other provinces. According to shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs), in SSP245 (an intermediate development pathway), the yield of 1.58 Mg ha−1 was reduced to 1.26 Mg ha−1 due to a 25% viral disease outbreak. In SSP585 (a high development pathway), with an incidence of 23%, the yield was reduced by 0.2 Mg ha−1. These results will be useful for efficiently cultivating crops under various climatic conditions and seeking management methods to minimize damage from viral disease.

Are climate change and technology posing a challenge to food security in South Korea?

Are climate change and technology posing a challenge to food security in South Korea?

Upaya Diplomasi Publik Korea Selatan Dalam Menyebarkan Hallyu Di Amerika Serikat Pada Pemerintahan Moon Jae In

Relations between the United States and South Korea during the Moon Jae In Administration experienced ups and downs that impacted South Korea's security problems. In addition, the United States's public sentiment towards South Korea still shows a high number compared to other countries. However, the spread of hallyu turned out to be successful with the decline in United States public sentiment towards South Korea and hallyu from 35.6% in 2017 to 16.5% in 2020. This study aims to analyze South Korea public diplomacy efforts in spreading hallyu to the United States in order to improve their relations and the image of South Korea as an attractive country as stated in Public Diplomacy Act 2017-2021. This study uses a qualitative method with a descriptive analytical approach and utilizes data from secondary sources. This study uses Fitzpatrick's concept of public diplomacy which divides public diplomacy activities into six indicators. Based on Fitzpatrick's concept of public diplomacy, this study finds that there are five activities, advocacy of South Korean policies and culture through digital, communication of the South Korean government elite, building long-term relationships with various actors, promoting arts and culture by holding hallyu festivals, movie nights, and exhibitions, as well as providing political assistance to the United States. Interestingly, this research found that the South Korean government often included hallyu stars in most of its activities which accelerating the spread of hallyu in the United States.

Assessing the impact of food trade centric on land, water, and food security in South Korea

The observed and predicted changes in climate, as well as the growth in urban population, are creating severe stress on existing water resources in South Korea. By the importation of agricultural products from more water-rich countries through the virtual water concept, a country could save local water resources for other important uses. However, these imports from other countries could lead to certain vulnerabilities in the importing country derived from climate change. Therefore, through the application of the virtual water concept and the climate vulnerability index ((CVI) - measure of a country's vulnerability to indirect climate impacts), this study assessed the implication of virtual water imports and climate change through food trade, on the water, land and food security status of South Korea over the period of 2000–2017. The results showed that significant amounts of national water and land was saved through the importation of major upland crops. Virtual water imports increased significantly over time, rising from 16.2 Bm3 in 2000 to 16.5, 17.4, and 20.7 Bm3 in 2005, 2011, and 2017 respectively, with the USA, China, Australia, Brazil and Canada being the major exporters to South Korea. The study also revealed high CVI values for the oils and grains category of imported food, implying the high vulnerability of South Korea to climate change effects resulting from the import of these crops. The quantitative impacts and structural changes in virtual water trade, as well as the link between climate change, food security, international trade, and domestic water consumption could be evaluated for the sustainable management and allocation of resources. This study successfully identified and quantified the status of food trade and its environmental implications in the study area, providing insight into a better allocation of locally available resources.

The emergence and evolution of International Relations studies in postcolonial South Korea

AbstractThis study investigates how International Relations (IR) as an academic discipline emerged and evolved in South Korea, focusing on the country's peculiar colonial and postcolonial experiences. In the process, it examines why South Korean IR has been so state-centric and positivist (American-centric), while also disclosing the ways in which international history has shaped the current state of IR in South Korea, institutionally and intellectually. It is argued that IR intellectuals in South Korea have largely reflected the political arrangement of their time, rather than demonstrate academic independence or leadership for its government and/or civil society, as they have navigated difficult power structures in world politics. Related to this, it reveals South Korean IR's twisted postcoloniality, which is the absence – or weakness – of non-Western Japanese colonial legacies in its knowledge production/system, while its embracing the West/America as an ideal and better model of modernity for South Korea's security and development. It also reveals that South Korean IR's recent quest for building a Korean School of IR to overcome its Western dependency appears to be in operation within a colonial mentality towards mainstream American IR.

Towards Improved Circular Economy and Resource Security in South Korea

This study explores the importance of critical raw materials and minerals by analyzing the Republic of Korea’s recent circular economy and resource security policy. Raw materials and rare metals are becoming increasingly significant to the Korean economy because the country is currently shifting away from fossil fuels and nuclear power towards renewable energy resources as well as transforming its industries towards decarbonization, digitization, and automation. Korea is a resource-poor country and is heavily dependent on imported minerals and rare earths, which are essential for its economy and new industry. Responding to these challenges and concerns, Korea is moving towards a sustainable circular economy and achieving greater resource security. Despite certain limitations, this transition would ultimately contribute in preparing Korea for current and future challenges in the areas of critical raw materials and minerals.

MAINTAINING ECONOMIC STABILIZATION IN INDONESIA AND SOUTH KOREA THROUGH DIGITAL FARMING

Digital farming is a type of digital economy that cannot be separated from essential elements, such as data availability and farmers themselves. Digital farming is found easily in many developed or agricultural countries, such as southern Europe and Brazil, nor to Indonesia and South Korea. However, Indonesia and South Korea experienced internet utilization and agricultural land area discrepancies which come to similar result, still developing sustainable agriculture. Thus, subjects of the study are Indonesia and South Korea due to their location in the Asian continent and similar history as developing countries in the past. Using farmer households and land agricultural data from Central Bureau of Statistics Indonesia and Statistics Korea, this study conducts quantitative analysis through fuzzy analysis and qualitative analysis through charts and explorative study. Based on quantitative analysis, the results are suitability maps between agricultural land area and farm households in Indonesia and South Korea due to agricultural land area, especially rice field, and farm households are the variables. Meanwhile, qualitative analysis produces charts and descriptive explanations, including internet utilization from World Bank. The rice field area is linked to land conversion, whilst farm household populations are linked to the prosperity of farmers. Indonesia has more farm households and rice field areas than South Korea, but South Korea has the technology to boost productivity and efficiency. The mutual relationship can be built by seeing food security in South Korea and digital farming implications in Indonesia. Therefore, both countries could strengthen bilateral relations beside of digital farming actualization.

How to stop North Korea’s nuclear ambition: failed diplomacy and future options

ABSTRACTThere are two kinds of hostilities on the Korean Peninsula: hostility between the U.S. and North Korea; hostility between the two Koreas. The nature of North Korea’s nuclear crisis is a mixture of those two hostilities. The crisis was exacerbated by misinterpretation and wishful thinking regarding its intentions. Another reason for North Korea’s nuclear crisis is the failure of the international community to speak with one voice on how to resolve it. Every country is different in its threat perceptions, national interests, and strategic calculations. In the grand scheme of things, however, the North Korea problem seems to be a strategic conflict between the U.S. and China. South Korea’s internal friction prevented any policy from being implemented effectively.It is not only unfair but unrealistic to handle the two hostilities separately. Any efforts to denuclearize North Korea should not undermine the security of South Korea. For example, the withdrawal of the U.S. forces from the Korean peninsula may be even worse for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula than a nuclear North Korea, if it keeps the current political system and there is no fundamental change in inter-Korean relations.Like the front and rear wheels in an automobile, the U.S.–North Korean dialogue and inter-Korean dialogue began to operate as two driving forces for a breakthrough in the nuclear crisis. The wheels should be aligned with a strong U.S.–R.O.K. alliance. Then a multilateral format like the Six-Party Talks can resume for a sustainable peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Japan–South Korea Security Cooperation: Sisyphus Getting Muscles?

This article aims to assess the progress of the ROK-Japan security cooperation in recent years, both in the bilateral and trilateral framework involving the United States. It argues that the unprecedented progress in North Korea’s nuclear program, along with a constant U.S. persuasion, led to a certain political convergence to allow and accompany the security cooperation. This said, political mistrust, asymmetric expectations and diverging perspectives still persist, explaining why the cooperation is mainly taking place within the trilateral framework. Nevertheless, the latest set of dialogue, exchanges and joint exercises did build up confidence and highlighted the benefit of an expanded cooperation while pushing the two countries to seriously consider the concrete issues, conditions and implications of such cooperation. The paper concludes that the recent progress in the security cooperation is still fragile and dependent on external factors, even if it is pointing to a greater understanding.

How Economic Dependency Was Created Through the WTO: A Case Study of South Korea

Adapting the framework of dependency theory, the article asks how the economic dependency of less developed countries (LDCs) on developed countries (DCs) is created through free trade. This article uses South Korea’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a case study to illustrate this economic dependency creation process. Based on second-hand data from existing studies, the European Union, and the WTO, this article finds: (i) due to limited farmland size and high production costs, South Korean agricultural products cannot win a seat in the world market; (ii) the local agricultural sector was destroyed in South Korea because small farmers cannot earn a living by farming; and (iii) since the local agricultural sector cannot support the food demand in South Korea, South Korea now has to import a large amount of food. This article concludes that free trade actually destroys the local agricultural industry and the food security of South Korea, and consequently makes South Korea have to rely heavily on DCs for food import.

South Korean views on Japan's constitutional reform under the Abe government

ABSTRACTIn this Special Section, this article reviews South Korean views on Japan's ‘peace’ Constitution and the Abe government's attempts at constitutional reform. It identifies three different understandings among South Korean academics on why Japan is escalating attempts to revise the Constitution under the Abe government. An in-depth analysis demonstrates that all three perspectives pay specific attention to Japan's constitutional reform in relation to security policy changes. However, they differ in assessing the impact of Japan's constitutional reform on South Korea as well as how South Korea should deal with such a change. A minority opinion considers Japan's ‘remilitarisation’ through constitutional revision as conducive to South Korean security interests by increasing deterrence against North Korea, whereas the dominant opinion is that any attempt to revise the Constitution could be in and of itself a potential threat to South Korea's security due to a lack of trust attributed to unresolved historical conflicts between Korea and Japan. However, all three approaches pay hardly any attention to the positive role of Japan's peace Constitution while Japan's peace Constitution might provide a regional peace model in Northeast Asia.

The US Pivot to Asia and South Korea’s Rise

The East Asian region is in flux with the rapidly increasing rise of Chinese power and the perception of a relative decline of US influence. For US treaty allies in the region, the challenges to its regional dominance by a rising China have posed dilemmas but also opportunities. No country better exemplifies this contrast than South Korea, which as a middle power finds itself in a precarious position in the regional hierarchy. In recent years, South Korea has responded with new approaches to foreign and security strategies, which are the product of several factors: the challenges wrought by China's growth, US attempts to meet this challenge with a rebalance toward the region, and South Korea's evolving perceptions of national security. My discussion concludes that while external factors have shaped South Korea's security transformation, internal factors have been just as important drivers of South Korea's foreign policy.

International Political Economy, the National Food Security of South Korea and the Governance of Global Agriculture in the Post-Doha Era

ABSTRACTThe impasse of the Doha Round is caused fundamentally by the complexity of crafting trade rules that can encompass diverse agricultural problems across countries. The article presents the particular problem of Korean agriculture that is torn between ever-dwindling domestic production and the need to cultivate a socially desirable level of domestic production. In an effort to assess the current international relations in agriculture and identify the way out of the current gridlock, the article uses International Political Economy (IPE) theories and puts forward two propositions: (i) economic liberalism is not adequate for explaining today’s international relations in agriculture, and (ii) the realists’ perspective provides a pertinent way of understanding the controversies surrounding agricultural trade. Further, the article advances the hypothesis that the global food system is undergoing a process of bifurcating into two distinct spheres: production agriculture (governed by states) and downstream...

Сотрудничество Китая, Японии и Южной Кореи в области безопасности

Сотрудничество Китая, Японии и Южной Кореи в области безопасности

Migration, Human Rights, and Security in South Korea : Focusing on the Case of Migrant Workers and Marriage Immigrants

Migration, Human Rights, and Security in South Korea : Focusing on the Case of Migrant Workers and Marriage Immigrants