푸른 헬멧(유엔평화유지군)만 중요한가? 한국 국제평화활동의 격차문제

Abstract

International peace operations are divided into two types. First, the UN peacekeepingoperations (PKOs) are the UN-led missions in which its member states contributepeacekeeping forces or ceasefire observers based on the UN Security Council resolutions. Second, multinational force (MNF) peace operations, or non-UNPKOs, are organizedwithin a regional security institution’s framework or by a specific leading state or agroup of the states that have vested interests in the conflict-ridden country or region. Thecommander is appointed by either a leading country or regional organizations. Korea’sparticipation in international peace operations, both UN-mandated and MNF-driven, hashad a praiseworthy cause and good will for global security and humanitarian assistanceand Korean peacekeepers have been highly commended for their outstanding service. Yet,these two types of PKOs have had different reactions. While UNPKO participation hasrequired more public understanding and attention, MNF deployment has faced thepublic’s harsh criticism and opposition. Unless this kind of perception (and therforepolicy) gaps is narrowed, it seem unlikely to secure the prompt and timely dispatch ofpeacekeepers through the passage of a law by the National Assembly that facilitatesboth UNPKO and MNF activities. Against this backdrop, this paper discusses thechanging development of international peacekeeping activities and evaluates the role ofKorean PKOs, both UN-led and non-UN-led. Therefore, this study examines why the“PKO divide” occurs in Korea although there are no robust different success rates oftwo types of peace operations and how to seek institutional and legal solutions tobridge the gap.