한국의 ‘동북아 경제중심’ 정책의 과제와 전략

Policy Goal and Strategy for Developing South Korea into an Economic Hub of Northeast Asia

Developing South Korea into an economic hub of Northeast Asia, a major policy in Roh Moo-hyun s government, is controversial on its goal. But it can be clarified by seeing pursuing a central position of the Korean economy in the multi-centric and multi-peripheral structure of Northeast Asia economy. The policy issue should be focused on a SWOT analysis. That is maximizing Korea s strengths and opportunities, and minimizing her weaknesses and threats in given circumstances. The policy must also be directed to advantageous differentiation by using advantage of backwardness in the economic hub development. For this, it is necessary to build a policy operation mechanism with systematic competitiveness and to strengthen human supporting system. The success of the policy requires strategic approach such as forming a strong business foothold and economic networking in Northeast Asia. And a strategic framework of pervasive bases-linking and development between South and Koreas is very applicable. This strategic framework starts with economics networking of Korea and neighbor countries, mainly China and Japan. Such a regional networking is important for Korean economy, because it not only minimizes threats from economics of China and Japan but secures Korea s central position in Northeast Asian economies by strengthening the partnership relations. A triple effect is expected in the strategic framework of pervasive bases-linking and development. Firstly, it could lessen North Korean risk by forming common benefit bases in both territories. Secondly, it could and concentration toward balanced development. And thirdly, the Korean peninsula could be a central position in Northeast Asian economies through the formation of industrially linked axes of the Pan-East Sea and the Pan-Yellow Sea economic spheres.