• Authors : Chiwon Choi
• Journal : The Korean Review of Political Thought
• Publisher : Korean Society For Political Thought
• Volume : 25(1)
• Publication Date : May, 2019
• Abstract : The reality or true identity of Arendt’s theory is not well understood, and its value is exaggerated. Arendt’s theory is repeatedly reproduced through the ‘Arendt scholarly cottage industry’. In the context of criticizing it, this study explores that Arendt’s ‘thinking’, while transformed into a superhistorical notion, becomes a empty theory in relation to the reality. In its core, there is an aestheticization of thinking through literature and art, and Heidegger provides a important theoretical foundation. Arendt’s method of aesthetic thinking is closely tied to the way she idealizes thinking. And these aestheticized and ideationalized thinking leads to a moralized thinking. This moralized thinking, however, is empty. Arendt’s concept of thinking reveals many contradictory and conflicting moments, and there are many deficiencies in form and substance. Arendt’s ‘thinking’, which is aesthetized, ideationalized and moralized, located out of the realm of practice. ‘Thinking’ is not situated in a reality but a literary poem or ‘nunc stans’ and has the activity there. ‘Thinking’, which lives and is active in a place where only God knows or no one knows, can not proceed to the realm of praxis. In other words, Arendt’s theory can not be an actual theory for political action based on ‘thinking’. No matter how much ‘politics’ is put forward and emphasized, not all theories are political theories.

• Authors : Doo-Jin Kim
• Journal : Zeitschrift der Koreanisch-Deutschen Gesellschaft fuer Sozialwissenschaften
• Publisher : K-G Association For Social Sciences
• Volume : 29(1)
• Publication Date : March, 2019
• Abstract :The UK has traditionally played an ambivalent role in European security and defence policy-making. With Brexit, the EU might lose one of its two serious military players. The Brexit also raises questions about the future relationship between the US and the United Kingdom. Over the short-to medium term Brexit will make the UK less valuable as a diplomatic and economic partner to the US. The EU is unlikely to afford the UK a strong role in the formulation of its security policy. In the face of US President Trump’s ambivalence towards NATO, some authors have suggested Brexit will not negatively impact either the UK’s ability to continue to work with its European security partners. The Franco-British relationship is often mentioned as a possibility. Under new post-Brexit circumstances, NATO may act as a bridge between Brussels and London, and become a platform for cooperation. The British perspective assumes that Britain should seize the opportunity to recast its role on the world stage and forge a foreign policy independent of both the US and the EU.

• Author :  Jae Hyeok Shin
• Journal : The Southeast Asian Review
• Publisher : Korean Association of Southeast Asian Studies
• Volume : 29(2)
• Publication Date : May, 2019
• Abstract : A conventional research method in regional studies is the single-case study that typically requires field research for a deep understanding of the context of a country or a region. In this article I investigate why Singapore has not democratized as an example of regional studies using comparative methods. Such regional studies can raise the importance of research questions deriving from single-case studies, increase the validity of arguments, and contribute to the development of theories in social sciences.

• Author :  Hun Joon Kim
• Journal : Journal of Human Rights Practice
• Publisher : Elsevier
• Volume : 11(1)
• Publication Date : April 2019
• DOI: 10.1093/jhuman/huz008

Abstract : This paper evaluates the activities of UN commissions of inquiry and asks whether investigations can be a viable solution to human rights violations. A case study of UN commissions of inquiry was used to evaluate the activities of commissions. The recent increase in UN commissions is significant as they could potentially be an alternative to the international accountability system. Specifically, there have been three achievements: (1) innovations in investigation methods; (2) international agenda setting; and (3) establishing grounds for accountability. However, there are still problems and issues with UN investigations that need to be overcome in the course of future developments. Three requirements were identified: (1) a balanced perspective; (2) reliable sources of information; and (3) more access to and cooperation from the target state.

• Authors : Taejung Kim
• Journal : National Security and Strategy
• Publisher : Institute for National Security Strategy
• Volume : 19(1)
• Publication Date : March, 2019
• Abstract : The rise of China was the greatest event in 20th century international politics, but the strengthening of naval power in the 21st century has dramatically changed the situation in the region. Especially for Japan, which pursues economic growth rather than security based on the natural obstacles of the sea, China’s naval forces cause Japan’s security problems, and Japan is also trying to balancing China through military expansion and alliance expansion. The existing balance of threat theory or the security dilemma can explain the arms race or unstable relationship between the two countries, but it has limitations to adequately explain the cause of the present situation. Therefore, I sought to understand the mutual relations through the grand strategy that expresses abstractly the national interests that the great powers intend to pursue. In particular, that the relationship between countries seeking the same strategy in the same region is more unstable than in other regions. After the defeat of Pacific War, Japan’s third Grand Strategy, the Yoshida Doctrine, characterized putting the issue of security and economy (Gun vs Butter) in charge of security to the United States and herself focus on economic growth. In addition, Japan is waste her times by the ‘lost decade’. Now it is pursuing the Abe Doctrine (seapower strategy). At the same time, China is pursuing its maritime strategy for the great power. Therefore, since the relationship between China and Japan is pursuing the same strategy (seapower strategy) in the same region (Asia), the relationship between the two countries is logically estimated to be not only unstable but also worse.

• Authors : Jiil Kim
• Journal : Strategic Studies
• Publisher : Korea Research Institute for Strategy
• Volume : 26(1)
• Publication Date : March, 2019
• Abstract : Since taking office, Moon Jae In’s administration has swiftly moved to amend the New Missile Guideline (NMG) between South Korea and the United States. In the past, missile agreements between the two states have been marked with considerable conflicts caused by difference in opinions. However, it took just six months of consultations regarding the NMG to reach a point of consensus. Why did the two allies conclude the NMG deal without difficulties unlike the past negotiations? The purpose of this study is to analyze the dynamics of the ROK-US alliance by looking at past cases of missile agreements. Using a case study method it reveals that ‘policy tradeoff’ played a role in the amendment of the NMG. In addition, the agreement was facilitated by the fact that North Korea’s nuclear missiles reached a stage of development which makes them capable of threatening the US mainland.