The European Union and the Korean Conundrum
Document Type
Conference paper
Source Publication
Europe-Asia relations : building multilateralisms
Publication Date
1-1-2008
First Page
213
Last Page
232
Publisher
Palgrave
Abstract
From the distance of Europe, Korea is a comparatively unknown and apparently obscure part of Asia, especially when compared with its pow¬erful neighbours on the peninsula - China and Japan. Yet South Korea has become a major economic power in its own right, revitalized now after the setbacks of the Asian financial crisis, while the awkward and complex relationship between South and North Korea ensures that the peninsula remains one of the world's 'hot-spots' of geopolitical and strategic inter¬est. Consequently, the commercial successes and attractions of the South and the convoluted and at times fraught interactions between the two Koreas and the four major powers most heavily involved in the peace and security of the peninsula mean that Europeans cannot afford to ignore Korea. This chapter endeavours to outline the extent of the stake for Europeans, economically, politically, and strategically, in the Korean peninsula, analyze how recent trends are impacting on that involvement and discuss how the Europeans might be further involved. In addition, in the context of the continuing debate about the effectiveness and fea¬sibility of the European Union (EU) moving towards a common foreign and security policy (CFSP), the relevance of the Korean case will be discussed.
DOI
10.1057/9780230583467_11
Publisher Statement
Copyright © Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited 2008. Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Additional Information
Paper presented at the International Conference on Europe-Asia Relations: Building Multilateralisms, May 20-21, 2005, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China.
ISBN of the source publication: 9780230583467
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Bridges, B. (2008). The European Union and the Korean Conundrum. In R. Balme & B. Bridges (Eds.), Europe-Asia relations: Building multilateralisms (pp. 213-232). Basingstoke: Palgrave. doi: 10.1057/9780230583467_11