東北亞 3國의 自由地帶間 經濟協力構想

A Study on Economic Cooperation of Free Economic Zone in Three Northeast Asian Countries

Despite efforts to increase economic cooperation, the Northeast Asian region faces many difficulties when it comes to forming an integrated economic entity. Obstacles for economic integration include differences in political system and ideology, differences in benefits and costs accruing from integration, and historical obstacles. As an alternative to inter- governmental economic integration, this paper has suggested a limited integration model based on sub-regional cooperation. Sub-regional economic cooperation is integration at a lower level. It is gradual, non-exclusive, and possesses the advantage of facilitating free trade and liberalization. In the case of Northeast Asia, candidate sites for promoting sub-regional cooperation are Busan, Kita-kyusu, Yamakuchi region, Shanghai, and Qingdao. In order for this sub-region to prosper, the three countries must come to agreement on the operation of the free trade region. They must agree on a common free trade area; on methods to induce foreign direct investments; on simplifying customs clearance procedures to encourage trade; and standardizing service and technology. As we have argued, sub-regional cooperation is risk-averse. It can pro ceed swiftly at minimal cost compared to official economic integration. Since actors engaged in cooperation do not put all their eggs in one box, they will enjoy a degree of freedom to pull out, if they find that the formula does not work. Finally, sub-regional cooperation relies on private motives and market incentives rather than the authority of the government. It seeks to network strategic sites and create synergistic effects. The rationale behind sub-regional integration is to maximize the interests of the investors by relying on private motives and market incentives. Because it seeks to create a private sector-initiated economic network and promote mutual understanding among the three nations of Northeast Asia, it is undoubtedly the most appropriate and effective paradigm of economic cooperation for the region.