Complex Geopolitics and Security Dynamics of Population, Migration, and Refugee: Implications for the Korean Peninsula (2017.03)
2017.03.01
- Author : Shin-wha Lee
- Journal : The Journal of Asiatic Studies
- Publisher : Asiatic Research Institute, Korea University
- Volume : 60(1)
- Publication Date : March, 2017
- Abstract : Non-military “new security” issues such as climate change, terrorism, cyber attacks, and humanitarian crisis has emerged as a serious security threats in the international relations of the 21st century. Furthermore, the interaction between such emerging security threats and traditional military/political security is increasingly becoming noticeable. For instance, global warming, trade disputes, and refugee flows causes armed conflicts within a state and/or inter-state conflicts. The Korean peninsula where geopolitical and military issues are have been the foremost concerns, is no longer an exception of such trends, but non-traditional, emerging security remains as a secondary concern to the Korean policy community. It should be noted that the complicated and unstable geopolitical security situations surrounding the Peninsula cannot be dealt with unless we examine the interaction of traditional-nontraditional security from the view of “complex geopolitics.” In this context, this paper examines what emerging security issues could become threats to social and national security through certain types of complex processes. The paper also discusses conditions for emerging security issues that link to military and political issues and generate inter-state conflicts. With particular emphasis upon issues related to population, migration and refugees, the paper identifies why these issues could be serious challenges for Korea’s security and diplomacy, as well as assesses the implications of these challenges for inter-Korean relations. The paper also highlights the significance of comprehensive security perspectives when coping with the international relations and security of Northeast Asia.