TY  - JOUR
T1  - New Regionalism Beyond Asia-Pacific: South Korea’s Multidimensional Approach to the Eastern Mediterranean
TT  - New Regionalism Beyond Asia-Pacific: South Korea’s Multidimensional Approach to the Eastern Mediterranean
AU  - Çelik, Hatice
AU  - Lee, Joosong
AU  - Şahin Temel, Vuslat Nur
PY  - 2025
DA  - October
Y2  - 2025
DO  - 10.33458/uidergisi.1792937
JF  - Uluslararası İlişkiler Dergisi
JO  - uidergisi
PB  - Uluslararası İlişkiler Konseyi Derneği İktisadi İşletmesi
WT  - DergiPark
SN  - 1304-7310
SP  - 1
EP  - 20
VL  - 0
IS  - 0
LA  - en
AB  - South Korea is extending its diplomatic reach beyond Northeast Asia to diverse regions. This article examines South Korea’s engagement with the Eastern Mediterranean through the theoretical lens of new regionalism, which emphasizes multidimensional cooperation across non-contiguous regions. Despite not being a priority region in South Korean foreign policy, the Eastern Mediterranean presents an intriguing case of functional engagement driven by economic interests, energy security concerns, and strategic calculations. Türkiye and Egypt serve as compelling case studies, selected for their strategic autonomy within the region, gateway positions connecting different geographical areas, and robust bilateral relations with South Korea. Drawing on an extensive literature review and official documents, this study reveals how South Korea employs a sophisticated, sector-specific approach focused on defense cooperation, technology transfer, and infrastructure development to build meaningful cross-regional relationships. Our findings demonstrate that South Korea’s Eastern Mediterranean engagement illustrates its maturation as a middle power capable of navigating complex regional dynamics while pursuing functional interests beyond its immediate neighborhood. By examining how a non-Western middle power constructs relationships with non-priority regions, this study contributes to broader theoretical discussions about new regionalism, middle power diplomacy, and the evolving nature of cross-regional engagement in contemporary international relations.
KW  - Foreign Policy
KW  - Türkiye
KW  - Egypt
KW  - Middle Power
KW  - Defense and economic cooperation
N2  - South Korea is extending its diplomatic reach beyond Northeast Asia to diverse regions. This article examines South Korea’s engagement with the Eastern Mediterranean through the theoretical lens of new regionalism, which emphasizes multidimensional cooperation across non-contiguous regions. Despite not being a priority region in South Korean foreign policy, the Eastern Mediterranean presents an intriguing case of functional engagement driven by economic interests, energy security concerns, and strategic calculations. Türkiye and Egypt serve as compelling case studies, selected for their strategic autonomy within the region, gateway positions connecting different geographical areas, and robust bilateral relations with South Korea. Drawing on an extensive literature review and official documents, this study reveals how South Korea employs a sophisticated, sector-specific approach focused on defense cooperation, technology transfer, and infrastructure development to build meaningful cross-regional relationships. Our findings demonstrate that South Korea’s Eastern Mediterranean engagement illustrates its maturation as a middle power capable of navigating complex regional dynamics while pursuing functional interests beyond its immediate neighborhood. By examining how a non-Western middle power constructs relationships with non-priority regions, this study contributes to broader theoretical discussions about new regionalism, middle power diplomacy, and the evolving nature of cross-regional engagement in contemporary international relations.
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UR  - https://doi.org/10.33458/uidergisi.1792937
L1  - https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/5282485
ER  -