Spread of the COVID-19 and the Fall of Neoliberalism: State s Increased POLICE ROLE

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to discuss the implications of major countries counter-strategies to overcome the COVID-19 and draw out policy options for South Korea. The study aims to provide a concrete alternative to strengthening the military s response capabilities. arguing that South Korea should become a global leader that prevents the spread of infectious diseases abide by Hongikingan(The idea of widely benefiting humans) of ancient South Korean political thought. Method: This article reviews drawing up South Korea s strategy by examining major countries coun-ter-strategies against COVID-19 abide by the theory of neoliberalism. The goal of neoliberalism is to aim for a small government, value the efficiency of private companies, expand free trade, open markets, and maximize the role of the private sector. Results: The limits of neoliberalism after the spread of COVID-19 can be summarized as follows. First, State-led supply of quarantine masks and the supply of therapeutic vaccines becomes prevalent break-ing away from the neoliberalism way of production by the private sector. Second, free trade and open markets, which neoliberalism values, are checked by the establishment of a quarantine period and the blockade of transportation routes. Thereby the neoliberalism is faced with a limit out of its cherished values of super-connected and high-speed. Third, neoliberalism was a way to pursue a small govern-ment and maximize the role of the private sector, but the spread of Covid-19 strengthens the state s control over the quarantine goods and its production facilities such as the operation of the Act on Pro-duction of Goods during War. Fourth, there is a growing demand for strengthening government role to mobilize state-led troops for the response. It needs to improve the legal system to strengthen the mili-tary s capability to tackle infectious diseases. Conclusion: In responding to non-traditional threat by the military sector, defense reforms such as laws, systems, and integrated command systems are needed at the defense level. Second, the effective-ness of response should be enhanced by designating a dedicated unit for each type of non-traditional threats, such as environmental pollution, infectious diseases, and large-scale natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunami, etc. Third, we need to establish an AI-based disaster management system in conjunction with the 4th industrial revolution. Fourth, it calls for the establishment of an international cooperative network in responding to non-traditional threats.