Korea’s Middle Power Diplomacy for Human Security: A Global and Regional Approach

Abstract

This study aims to discuss characteristics and limits of Korea’s human security-oriented policies in global and regional dimensions as a core tool of identifying itself middle power country. Having recognized a ‘global-regional divide’ in Korea’s positions and leverage, the paper argues that its middle power diplomacy should distinguish the global and regional levels in planning strategies. The paper also argues that it is more realistic for Korea to purse soft power to induce support and agreement from other states rather than hard power to muddle through regional power competition. Yet, given the possibility where its endeavor can be thwarted by its the regional dynamics of the great power politics, it is equally important for Korea to secure a sizable amount of hard power, like financial and military might. Taking the case of the human security diplomacy, which is a distinctive example of soft power strategies, the paper reviews what issues and challenges have been in Korea’s quest for middle power leadership on the human security agenda, as well as to evaluate whether the country’s efforts positively or adversely affect its diplomatic status as a middle power. The cases of Canada, Australia, and Japan are examined so that we may draw a lesson for Korea’s middle power diplomacy. All three countries actively pursue soft power diplomacy, including the substantive contribution to human security agenda, for the sake of their international contribution and national interest. While Australia and Canada have achieved their expected objectives, Japan does not seem to have done so.