Foreign Relations of Korea PDF

Fall 2024 KF e-school UHM Foreign Relations of Korea Week 3 Structure and Direction of the Foreign Policy of Korea CAU Donghyun Kim 1. History of Development and Organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea 1) History and Organization of the Ministry of...

Fall 2024 KF e-school UHM Foreign Relations of Korea Week 3 Structure and Direction of the Foreign Policy of Korea CAU Donghyun Kim 1. History of Development and Organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea 1) History and Organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea was established in 1948, alongside the founding of the Republic of Korea. Following the reorganization of government structures shortly after the inauguration of the Kim Dae- jung administration in 1998, it was transformed into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is now called the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. - Legally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for: - Formulating and implementing foreign policy, and conducting trade and negotiations with other countries; - Pursuing foreign policy related to external relations, concluding treaties and other international agreements, promoting cultural cooperation, managing public relations abroad, protecting and supporting overseas citizens, researching international affairs, and handling immigration affairs  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is organized into the headquarters, the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA), and overseas diplomatic missions. - As of the end of 2007, South Korea had established diplomatic relations with 188 out of the 190 UN member states, excluding North and South Korea (North Korea has relations with 156 countries). - There are 146 overseas diplomatic missions, including 104 embassies, 3 permanent missions, and 39 consulates general.  In 2013, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was reorganized along with the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to carry out its role. 1. History of Development and Organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea 1) History and Organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1. History of Development and Organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea 2) Staffing and Budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs  The staffing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs began with 160 employees at the time of the government's establishment in 1948 and has been steadily increasing. - The staffing was reduced to 80 employees through reorganization in 1949 but has steadily increased since the introduction of the staffing system for overseas missions in 1952. - As of the end of 2007, 770 employees were working at the headquarters, and 940 employees were working at overseas missions, totaling 1,710 Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff. Additionally, 191 officials from 22 other government ministries were dispatched to overseas missions as resident officers.  The budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has gradually increased over time. - The budget started at 120 million won in 1948 (0.4% of the government budget) and increased to 1,096 trillion won in 2007 (0.7% of the government budget). - However, it still has not exceeded the 1% level compared to the advanced countries. * Note: In a country like South Korea, where the importance of diplomatic relations is absolutely emphasized both domestically and internationally, expanding the staffing and budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is essential.  2. Key Actors in South Korea's Foreign Policy Decision-Making 1) The President  In foreign policy, unlike domestic policy, the concept of the state (government) as a unit is an important basis for understanding, so the highest decision-maker representing the country inevitably draws attention in the foreign policy decision-making process. - In South Korea, the president is the highest authority responsible for making foreign policy decisions on behalf of the nation, and is accountable to the public for the outcomes of these policies. - The president can effectively control bureaucrats, who are considered alternative actors in the realm of foreign policy, and is in a position to take more comprehensive responsibility to the people compared to members of the National Assembly, due to the electoral system (election districts). - In fact, in recent years, the president's foreign policy activities through summit diplomacy have been increasingly strengthened.  However, the outcomes of foreign policy can vary significantly depending on the president's personal capabilities. A lack of expertise on the part of the president can lead to unintended results in foreign policy.  2. Key Actors in South Korea's Foreign Policy Decision-Making 2) The National Assembly (Parliament)  Since the 1970s, globally, issues in foreign policy led by presidents or top state decision-makers have been highlighted, resulting in increased checks and balances by parliaments. - South Korea is no exception, and since democratization in 1987, the National Assembly's role in checking and balancing the president's unilateral foreign policy has been strengthened. - Parliamentary intervention and oversight in foreign policy serve as a check against the government's arbitrary foreign policy decisions, which can result from monopolized information and behind-the-scenes deals.  However, parliamentary involvement and intervention in foreign policy carry the risk of being strategically exploited by political parties based on their partisan interests.  2. Key Actors in South Korea's Foreign Policy Decision-Making 3) Bureaucrats and Bureaucratic Organizations  Following the president and the National Assembly, bureaucrats and bureaucratic organizations officially participate in foreign policy decision- making and execution. - In South Korea, since the 1990s, the role of professional bureaucrats in the foreign policy decision-making process has significantly increased.  3. Objectives of South Korea's Foreign Policy 1) Basic Objectives of South Korea's Foreign Policy  Foreign policy is the product of aligning national interests with the dominant international situation and a country's available diplomatic means. Therefore, the objectives of foreign policy are fundamentally set based on national interests. ① Ensuring National Security ② Economic Prosperity and Improvement of Public Welfare ③ Unification of the Korean Peninsula ④ Enhancement of National Prestige and Status  3. Objectives of South Korea's Foreign Policy 2) Foreign Policy Objectives of Previous Governments  First Republic (1948-1960): Anti-communism, anti-Japan stance, personal diplomacy, gaining government recognition and joining the United Nations, maintaining and strengthening relations with Western countries, anti- communism policies, negotiations on claims against Japan, signing of the Korea-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty.  Second Republic (1960-1961): Moderate and rational approach, joining the United Nations, strengthening Korea- U.S. relations, normalizing Korea-Japan relations, strengthening non-aligned diplomacy.  Third and Fourth Republics (1961-1979): Realism, authoritarianism, proactive anti-communist diplomacy, strengthening relations with the U.S. and other free allies, normalizing Korea-Japan relations, self-reliant defense, and national power enhancement.  Fifth Republic (1980-1987): Strengthening the peace and security system, solidifying the Korea-U.S. alliance, expanding trade, promoting economic cooperation, improving relations with communist countries.  Sixth Republic, Roh Tae-woo Government (1988-1992): Northern diplomacy, security diplomacy, strengthening relations with traditional allies, enhancing non-aligned relations, strengthening economic diplomacy, joining the United Nations.  Sixth Republic, Kim Young-sam Government (1993-1997): Kim Young-sam's globalization policy, North Korea's withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the nuclear issue, absorption-type unification policy following Kim Il-sung's death, joining the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 1996, and the economic crisis in 1997.  4. Characteristics of South Korea's Foreign Policy 1) Traditional Characteristics of South Korea's Foreign Policy 1. Survival Diplomacy and Subordination - Survival diplomacy has been a defining characteristic of South Korea's foreign policy, from the past to the present, as a matter of fate for the Korean Peninsula. 2. Passivism - The Confucian tradition, descending from the Joseon Dynasty, has made the Korean Peninsula a vacuum of power, focusing on metaphysical value debates. 3. Isolationism - While isolationism can be a strategic concept for protecting national interests, South Korea's foreign policy has historically carried a passive concept of defending itself. 4. Legitimacy-based Diplomacy - Legitimacy-based diplomacy, as opposed to pragmatism, is conducted based on Confucian values, focusing on maintaining legitimacy in foreign policy. 4. Characteristics of South Korea's Foreign Policy 2) Changes in the Environment of South Korea's Foreign Policy [Changes in the International Situation] ① Post-Cold War and Changes in the Security Environment ② Globalization and Regionalization, as well as Integration and Fragmentation ③ Democracy and the Market Economy System ④ Technological Revolution and Informatization [Changes in the Domestic Situation] ① Democratization and the Institutionalization of Democracy ② Economic Crisis and the Importance of Trade Relations  5. Issues and Improvement Measures in South Korea's Foreign Policy 1) Problems in South Korea's Foreign Policy ① Foreign policy is decided by a very small number of bureaucrats and non-experts, excluding experts or scholars in foreign policy. ② There is a lack of comprehensive and detailed review or definition of national interests, and long-term and short-term goals are inadequately set. ③ Policies related to vital national interests are decided by a small group of bureaucrats or close associates without a process of national consensus. ④ Major foreign policy decisions are used as tools for partisan interests or as spoils of the ruling administration. ⑤ The appointment of non-experts to diplomatic positions leads to inefficiency. ⑥ There is inadequate information sharing and communication among foreign policy-related departments, such as the Blue House, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and National Intelligence Service. ⑦ Foreign policy is often made impulsively and in an ad-hoc manner without focusing on the research and review of the counterpart country. ⑧ There is excessive secrecy regarding information and data related to foreign policy.  5. Issues and Improvement Measures in South Korea's Foreign Policy 2) Improvement Measures for South Korea's Foreign Policy ① Foreign policy related to vital national interests must undergo a process of national consensus. ② Institutional mechanisms should be established to allow experts and scholars to participate in the foreign policy decision-making process. ③ Unless it concerns national security, basic data and information on foreign policy should be accessible. ④ To establish a more systematic and rational foreign policy, it is necessary to strengthen specialized research personnel by country, region, and international organization. Thank you