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South Korea’s Geopolitical Code and Inter-Korean Relations: “Northeast Asia+ Community of Responsibility”

Year 2020, Volume: 3 Issue: 5, 1 - 22, 19.02.2020

Abstract

The year 2018 was surely a major turning point in the history of inter-Korean relations. The two Koreas have made a breakthrough in shifting the destiny of the Korean peninsula from a prolonged “security dilemma” to a possible coexistence. It might be premature to discuss about unification, having been divided for 74 years as we speak now, nevertheless recent development shows that inter-Korean relations are on its track to the establishment of peace and ease of tension. In 2018, the number of North Korean military provocation against the South was “zero”. Furthermore, the year 2018 has shown a great shift in South Korea’s North Korea policy. The purpose of this article is to elaborate on how this great shift has been taken; in order to do this, the concept of “Geopolitical Code” has been used. By analyzing the Geopolitical Code of the Moon Administration, the background and context of the Moon Administration’s North Korea Policy has been explained. This process has also indicated the policy directions as well as the Grand Strategy and foreign policy goals of South Korea. With this lens, this research has eventually provided some interpretation on some of the key events that took place between South and North Korea in 2018.

References

  • CCHKMR (1963), History of the Korean Military Revolution, The compilation committee.
  • Flint, Colin (2006), Introduction to Geopolitics, Routledge.
  • JANG, Yong-hoon (2018), “Iron Silk Road and East Asia Rail Community: Economic and Diplomatic lead at once”, Unified Korea, November Issue.
  • JEON, Bong-geun (2018), “Assessment of 12 June U.S.-North Korea Summit and implications to South Korea”, IFANS Analysis on International Affairs, issue 2018-22.
  • JEON, Bong-geun (2019), “2019 New Year’s Address of Kim Jong-un: Distinct features and implications”, IFANS Focus, issue 2019-01K.
  • JEON, Bong-geun Jeon (2018), “Inter-Korean Summit 2018 in Pyongyang: Achievements and Significances”, IFANS Focus, issue 2018-18K.
  • LEE, Beom-Joon (1998), Introduction to Korean Foreign Policy, Seoul, Beopmun-sa..
  • LEE, Ho-ryeong (2018), “Create situation first, then change the structure: Northeast Asian version of CSCE”, Unified Korea, November Issue.
  • LEE, Sang-sook (2018), “Assessment of Third Inter-Korean Summit and Reasons for Change in North Korea’s Policy Stance: Focused on ‘New Strategic Line”, IFANS Focus, Issue 2018-14E.
  • MFA (2017), Booklet on Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Platform, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • Ministry of Unification (1998), Unification White Paper, Ministry of Unification.
  • Ministry of Unification (2004), North Korea Policy of the Roh Administration, Ministry of Unification.
  • NAM, KWANG KYU (2012), “The Reunification Policy of Rhee Syngman's Government”, Unification Strategy, Volume 12, Number 2.
  • NECC (2017), Booklet on New Northern Policy Vision and Direction, Northern Economic Cooperation Committee.
  • Oh, Chong Jin (2012), “Security Conditions and Regional Competition in East Asia after the New Millennium: A South Korean Perspective”, Perceptions, Volume 17, Number 4.
  • PARK, GEUN-HYE (2011), “A New Kind of Korea: Building Trust Between Seoul and Pyongyang”, Foreign Affairs, Volume 90, Number 5.
  • SEO, Jaejin (2008) “Background and Goal of Lee Administration’s North Korea Policy”, North Korea Policy Vision and Roadmap of the Lee Administration, Korea Institute for National Unification.
  • The Bluehouse (2009), The National Security Strategy of the Republic of Korea, the Bluehouse.
  • UM, Sang-yoon Um (2015), “Two years of Korean Peninsula Trust-Building Process: Mid-term evaluation and improvement direction,” Political Affairs and Policies, Volume 229.
  • YANG, Young-sik (1990), “Way to become one Korea”, Seoul Times Publishers.
  • YOON, Taeryong (2018), “Overcoming the Strategic Paradox and move on to Common Security”, The Era of Unification, Vol. 140. <Internet resources>
  • Bluehouse (2018), “National Security Strategy of the Moon Administration”, Bluehouse. https://www1.president.go.kr/articles/5169.
  • CHO, Seokjang (2017), “Northeast Asia Plus Community of Responsibility”, Korea Financial News. http://www.fnnews.com/news/201712111707025555.
  • CHOİ, Jae-duk (2018), “Peace in Korean peninsula, a moment for decisive Northern policy, Presian news. http://www.pressian.com/news/article.html?no=198729#09T0.
  • E-today (2017), “Reinforcing Economic diplomacy through Multilateralism: Northeast Asia Plus Community of Responsibility, E-today. http://www.etoday.co.kr/news/section/newsview.php?idxno=116626.
  • GASS, Nick (2016), “Trump: I’ll meet with Kim Jong Un in the U.S.”, Politico. https://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/donald-trump-north-korea-nukes-224385.
  • JANG, Young-eun (2018), “Closing account for 2018 Moon Administration’s diplomacy and security”, E-daily. http://www.edaily.co.kr/news/read?newsId=03171766619442784&mediaCodeNo=257.
  • KİM, Soohan (2018), “Opening of joint liaison office with resident representatives of both sides in Kaesong: what is the meaning of this?”, Economic Herald. http://news.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20180427000846.
  • LEE, Geun (2018), “Will North Korea go as we hope”, Kyunghyang Newspaper. http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=201812132045035&code=990308.
  • MOON, Jae-in (2018), “Presidential Statement on the U.S.-North Korea Summit”, Bluehouse. https://www1.president.go.kr/articles/3547.
  • MOON, Jae-in (2018), “Presidential Statement on the U.S.-North Korea Summit”, Bluehouse. https://www1.president.go.kr/articles/3547.
  • New York Times (2018), “The Trump-Kim Summit Statement: Read the Full Text”, New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/world/asia/trump-kim-summit-statement.html.
  • Reuters (2018), “Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula: Full-text”, Reuters. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-northkorea-southkorea-summit-statemen/panmunjom-declaration-for-peace-prosperity-and-unification-of-the-korean-peninsula-idUKKBN1HY193.
  • The Korea Times (2005), “Korea as a Balancer in Northeast Asia”, The Korea Times, https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2018/09/103_255848.html.
  • Yonhap News (2018), “Kim Jong-un and Trump, historic first step to terminate Cold War in Korean peninsula, Yonhap News. https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20180612163400022?input=1195m.
  • Yonhap News (2018), “President Moon’s congratulatory address: Inter-Korean and Northeast Asian mutual prosperity initiatives unveiled, Yonhap News. https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20180815026351001.

Güney Kore’nin Jeopolitik Kodu ve Güney – Kuzey Kore İlişkileri: “Kuzeydoğu Asya + Sorumluluk Topluluğu”

Year 2020, Volume: 3 Issue: 5, 1 - 22, 19.02.2020

Abstract

2018 yılı hiç kuşkusuz Güney ve Kuzey Kore ilişkiler tarihinin önemli bir noktasıydı. İki taraf da Kore yarımadasının kaderini değiştirmek adına uzun süre devam eden “güvenlik açmazından” olası bir birlikte yaşama doğru büyük bir atılım yaptı. Yetmiş dört yıldır bölünmüş bir halde olanın birleşmesi hakkında tartışmak erken olabilir. Bununla birlikte, yaşanılan bu gelişmeler Güney ve Kuzey Kore’nin, ilişkilerindeki barışın temin edilmesi ve tansiyonun düşmesi yolunda ilerlediğini göstermektedir. 2018 yılı içerisinde Kuzey Kore tarafının Güney Kore’ye karşı yürüttüğü askeri provokasyon sayısı “sıfırdı”. Ayrıca 2018 yılında Güney Kore’nin Kuzey Kore politikasında da büyük değişimler gerçekleşti. Bu makalenin amacı bahsi edilen bu büyük değişimin nasıl meydana geldiğini ayrıntılı olarak incelemektir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda “Jeopolitik Kod” kavramı kullanılmıştır. Moon idaresinin Jeopolitik Kodunu analiz ederek, Kuzey Kore politikasının arka planı ve bağlamı açıklanmıştır. Bu süreçte aynı zamanda Güney Kore’nin siyasi istikametinin yanı sıra Büyük Strateji ve dış politika hedeflerine de işaret etmiştir. Bu doğrultuda, işbu çalışma Güney ve Kuzey Kore arasında 2018 yılında gerçekleşen bazı önemli olaylar üzerine yorumlar sunmuştur.

References

  • CCHKMR (1963), History of the Korean Military Revolution, The compilation committee.
  • Flint, Colin (2006), Introduction to Geopolitics, Routledge.
  • JANG, Yong-hoon (2018), “Iron Silk Road and East Asia Rail Community: Economic and Diplomatic lead at once”, Unified Korea, November Issue.
  • JEON, Bong-geun (2018), “Assessment of 12 June U.S.-North Korea Summit and implications to South Korea”, IFANS Analysis on International Affairs, issue 2018-22.
  • JEON, Bong-geun (2019), “2019 New Year’s Address of Kim Jong-un: Distinct features and implications”, IFANS Focus, issue 2019-01K.
  • JEON, Bong-geun Jeon (2018), “Inter-Korean Summit 2018 in Pyongyang: Achievements and Significances”, IFANS Focus, issue 2018-18K.
  • LEE, Beom-Joon (1998), Introduction to Korean Foreign Policy, Seoul, Beopmun-sa..
  • LEE, Ho-ryeong (2018), “Create situation first, then change the structure: Northeast Asian version of CSCE”, Unified Korea, November Issue.
  • LEE, Sang-sook (2018), “Assessment of Third Inter-Korean Summit and Reasons for Change in North Korea’s Policy Stance: Focused on ‘New Strategic Line”, IFANS Focus, Issue 2018-14E.
  • MFA (2017), Booklet on Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Platform, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • Ministry of Unification (1998), Unification White Paper, Ministry of Unification.
  • Ministry of Unification (2004), North Korea Policy of the Roh Administration, Ministry of Unification.
  • NAM, KWANG KYU (2012), “The Reunification Policy of Rhee Syngman's Government”, Unification Strategy, Volume 12, Number 2.
  • NECC (2017), Booklet on New Northern Policy Vision and Direction, Northern Economic Cooperation Committee.
  • Oh, Chong Jin (2012), “Security Conditions and Regional Competition in East Asia after the New Millennium: A South Korean Perspective”, Perceptions, Volume 17, Number 4.
  • PARK, GEUN-HYE (2011), “A New Kind of Korea: Building Trust Between Seoul and Pyongyang”, Foreign Affairs, Volume 90, Number 5.
  • SEO, Jaejin (2008) “Background and Goal of Lee Administration’s North Korea Policy”, North Korea Policy Vision and Roadmap of the Lee Administration, Korea Institute for National Unification.
  • The Bluehouse (2009), The National Security Strategy of the Republic of Korea, the Bluehouse.
  • UM, Sang-yoon Um (2015), “Two years of Korean Peninsula Trust-Building Process: Mid-term evaluation and improvement direction,” Political Affairs and Policies, Volume 229.
  • YANG, Young-sik (1990), “Way to become one Korea”, Seoul Times Publishers.
  • YOON, Taeryong (2018), “Overcoming the Strategic Paradox and move on to Common Security”, The Era of Unification, Vol. 140. <Internet resources>
  • Bluehouse (2018), “National Security Strategy of the Moon Administration”, Bluehouse. https://www1.president.go.kr/articles/5169.
  • CHO, Seokjang (2017), “Northeast Asia Plus Community of Responsibility”, Korea Financial News. http://www.fnnews.com/news/201712111707025555.
  • CHOİ, Jae-duk (2018), “Peace in Korean peninsula, a moment for decisive Northern policy, Presian news. http://www.pressian.com/news/article.html?no=198729#09T0.
  • E-today (2017), “Reinforcing Economic diplomacy through Multilateralism: Northeast Asia Plus Community of Responsibility, E-today. http://www.etoday.co.kr/news/section/newsview.php?idxno=116626.
  • GASS, Nick (2016), “Trump: I’ll meet with Kim Jong Un in the U.S.”, Politico. https://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/donald-trump-north-korea-nukes-224385.
  • JANG, Young-eun (2018), “Closing account for 2018 Moon Administration’s diplomacy and security”, E-daily. http://www.edaily.co.kr/news/read?newsId=03171766619442784&mediaCodeNo=257.
  • KİM, Soohan (2018), “Opening of joint liaison office with resident representatives of both sides in Kaesong: what is the meaning of this?”, Economic Herald. http://news.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20180427000846.
  • LEE, Geun (2018), “Will North Korea go as we hope”, Kyunghyang Newspaper. http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=201812132045035&code=990308.
  • MOON, Jae-in (2018), “Presidential Statement on the U.S.-North Korea Summit”, Bluehouse. https://www1.president.go.kr/articles/3547.
  • MOON, Jae-in (2018), “Presidential Statement on the U.S.-North Korea Summit”, Bluehouse. https://www1.president.go.kr/articles/3547.
  • New York Times (2018), “The Trump-Kim Summit Statement: Read the Full Text”, New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/world/asia/trump-kim-summit-statement.html.
  • Reuters (2018), “Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula: Full-text”, Reuters. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-northkorea-southkorea-summit-statemen/panmunjom-declaration-for-peace-prosperity-and-unification-of-the-korean-peninsula-idUKKBN1HY193.
  • The Korea Times (2005), “Korea as a Balancer in Northeast Asia”, The Korea Times, https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2018/09/103_255848.html.
  • Yonhap News (2018), “Kim Jong-un and Trump, historic first step to terminate Cold War in Korean peninsula, Yonhap News. https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20180612163400022?input=1195m.
  • Yonhap News (2018), “President Moon’s congratulatory address: Inter-Korean and Northeast Asian mutual prosperity initiatives unveiled, Yonhap News. https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20180815026351001.
There are 36 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Political Science, Sociology
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Chong Jin Oh This is me

Joosong Lee This is me

Publication Date February 19, 2020
Published in Issue Year 2020 Volume: 3 Issue: 5

Cite

APA Oh, C. J., & Lee, J. (2020). South Korea’s Geopolitical Code and Inter-Korean Relations: “Northeast Asia+ Community of Responsibility”. Doğu Asya Araştırmaları Dergisi, 3(5), 1-22.

Journal of East Asia Studies in Türkiye (JEAST)