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Competing Notions of Regionalism in South Korean Politics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2011

DAVID HUNDT  and
JAECHUN KIM
DAVID HUNDT
Affiliation:
School of International and Political Studies, Deakin University, Melbournedhundt@deakin.edu.au
JAECHUN KIM
Affiliation:
Graduate School of International Studies, Sogang University, Seouljaechun@sogang.ac.kr
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Abstract

In the past decade, ASEAN has been the primary driver of East Asian regionalism, and Korea has been an active supporter of ASEAN plus Three. Korea has explored the idea of an East Asian Community, and has been relatively open to notions of Asia–Pacific regionalism. The ROK has involved itself comparatively heavily in regional projects as both an initiator and a participant, but its notion of ‘region’ has oscillated between more and less inclusive forms of regionalism. This article examines how competing conceptions of region have influenced Korea's pursuit of regional initiatives. By revisiting historical understandings of Korea's regional identity, we explore the normative bases and material interests which motivate Korean regional initiatives, and assess the impact of its proposals.

Type
Research Article
Information
Japanese Journal of Political Science , Volume 12 , Issue 2 , August 2011 , pp. 251 - 266
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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