South Korea's New Southern Policy: A Middle Power's International Relations with Southeast Asia and India

This book explores South Korea's first regional strategy towards Southeast Asia and India, focusing on how a middle power seeks to play a larger and more comprehensive role in regions beyond the Korean peninsula. The Moon Administration has sought to diversify South Korean foreign policy by elevating ASEAN and India to the same strategic level as the United States, China, Russia, and Japan.

Format: Hardback
Length: 244 pages
Publication date: 17 April 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into South Korea's first regional strategy towards Southeast Asia and India, shedding light on the nation's aspirations to play a more significant and comprehensive role in regions beyond the Korean peninsula. As a middle power with the tenth-largest economy globally, South Korea has traditionally prioritized nuclearization of North Korea, alliance maintenance with the United States, complex relations with China, and challenging ties with Japan, marked by historical and territorial disputes. The Moon Administration has taken steps to diversify South Korean foreign policy by elevating ASEAN and India to the same strategic level as the United States, China, Russia, and Japan. While these latter countries remain crucial to the Korean peninsula, this book presents diverse perspectives from different countries and regions on Seoul's grand strategy to achieve a role commensurate with its status as a middle power.

The book explores South Korea's strategic interests and objectives in the region, examining the challenges and opportunities that arise from its engagement with Southeast Asia and India. It discusses the historical background, political dynamics, and economic developments of these countries, as well as the regional and global implications of South Korea's policies. The authors analyze South Korea's efforts to strengthen its diplomatic relations, promote economic cooperation, and address regional security concerns, such as terrorism and piracy.

One of the key themes of the book is South Korea's desire to establish itself as a regional hub and facilitator of economic growth and stability. The nation has invested heavily in infrastructure development, trade agreements, and cultural exchange programs to strengthen its ties with Southeast Asia and India. South Korea aims to leverage its strategic location, technological expertise, and cultural heritage to promote regional integration and cooperation.

The book also highlights the challenges that South Korea faces in its regional strategy. One of the main challenges is the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region, which are shaped by the competing interests of major powers, such as the United States, China, and Russia. South Korea must navigate these complex relationships to ensure its interests are protected and to promote regional stability.

Another challenge is the issue of regional security, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in North Korea. South Korea has been a key player in the international effort to denuclearize North Korea and to address the regional security concerns that stem from the regime's nuclear weapons program. However, the process of denuclearization has been slow and complex, and there are ongoing concerns about the potential for further instability and conflict in the region.

To address these challenges, the book offers several recommendations for South Korea's regional strategy. One of the key recommendations is for South Korea to continue to prioritize its relations with the United States and to strengthen its alliance with the United States. The book argues that the United States remains a critical partner for South Korea in terms of security, trade, and economic cooperation.

Another recommendation is for South Korea to expand its economic cooperation with Southeast Asia and India. The book suggests that South Korea can leverage its technological expertise and manufacturing capabilities to promote economic growth and create job opportunities in the region. South Korea can also invest in infrastructure development, such as transportation and energy projects, to enhance its connectivity with Southeast Asia and India.

In addition, the book emphasizes the importance of cultural exchange and people-to-people interactions in promoting regional stability and cooperation. South Korea can organize cultural events, educational programs, and sports tournaments to strengthen its ties with Southeast Asia and India and to promote mutual understanding and respect.

Finally, the book calls for South Korea to continue to engage with regional organizations, such as ASEAN and the Indian Ocean Rim Association, to promote regional cooperation and stability. South Korea can also play a leadership role in promoting regional initiatives, such as the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Growth.

In conclusion, this comprehensive book provides a valuable insight into South Korea's first regional strategy towards Southeast Asia and India. It explores the nation's aspirations to play a more significant and comprehensive role in regions beyond the Korean peninsula, and it offers diverse perspectives from different countries and regions on Seoul's grand strategy. The book highlights the challenges and opportunities that South Korea faces in the region, and it offers recommendations for how the nation can strengthen its ties with Southeast Asia and India and promote regional stability and cooperation.

Weight: 640g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032404479