SOUTH KOREA AS A MIDDLE POWER IN EAST ASIA?

Abstract

This article addresses South Korea's foreign policy toward ASEAN from a middle power approach. Using role theory, we argue that South Korea is developing a regional role to diversify its traditional ties, mitigate local constraints, and materialize its regional interests. We analyze the economic and political dimensions according to the share of trade and investment flows to the region and the development of cooperation initiatives and institutional ties. In the latter, we focus on Moon's presidency and the New Southern Policy, including a reference to the official development assistance. We also address its role in the South China Sea conflict to examine the strategic restrictions in this scenario. We state two main constraints: the need to keep the United States as a safety-guarantee partner and the critical role of China as an economic partner. Finally, we explore the challenges that a power competition scenario poses for Seoul within Southeast Asia.