동북아 다자간 군사안보협력 제도화 방안 연구

Strategies for Institutionalization of Multilateral Military Security Cooperation in Northeast Asia

This study explores the feasibility of Northeast Asia Security architecture design and provides strategies for a military security cooperation regime in Northeast Asia consisting of the U.S., China, Japan, Russia and the two Koreas. Research findings confirm that neoliberal institutionalism is the approach most compatible with the goal of building a regional security regime. Because neoliberal institutionalism holds out the promise of reconciliation and cooperation by implementing commonly accepted norms, principles, rules, and decision-making procedures. The study identifies four conditions necessary to the formation of a security regime in Northeast Asia. First, existing security cooperation arrangements, which may serve as the basis for a new regional security regime including ASEAN Regional Forum and the Six Party Talks on North Korea's nuclear program, have already made great strides in terms of inculcating the habits of dialogue. Second, sustained economic development and economic interdependence have positively spilled over into regional security cooperation. Third, transnational threats, which call for cooperative security policies include terrorism, international crime, infectious diseases, unregulated population movements, natural disasters, and environment degradation, pose great challenges because they should be resolved in a multilateral framework. Finally, a new spirit has arisen in the region in favor of multilateral cooperation to resolve security issues such as terrorism and North Korea's nuclear weapons program. The findings of the current study indicate that security cooperation is a more effective, less costly solution to regional conflicts in Northeast Asia than either unilateral approach or arms races. The institutionalization of a security regime in Northeast Asia can be implemented along three basic lines of strategy. First, to create a more favorable security cooperative environment is the most important area for the success of the security regime building. A multinational epistemic community consisting of security policy makers, lawmakers, and scholars must be cultivated as the basis of a new regional consensus as well as a domestic consensus. Second, on the military level key actors should systematically expand bilateral and multilateral security and military exchanges and cooperative programs. Such cooperative programs should include regional defense ministerial talks, establishment of Regional Defense University, installation of hot-line in the region and sign of prevention of dangerous military action, and the establishment of Northeast Asia multinational headquarters, with early warning systems and response forces. Third, no movement toward a new security system in Northeast Asia can be made without strong leadership. In this regard, the Six Party Talks on North Korea's nuclear program could form the backbone of a new regional security architecture. The Six Party Talks will have to be reorganized to consult further common areas of regional security by strategic working group. Although the European model of security cooperation offers relevant lessons and insights, Northeast Asia's distinct historical heritage, cultural aspirations, and economic dynamics call for an approach to cooperative security that is responsive to the unique dynamics of the area. The study concludes that Northeast Asia has the potential to institutionalize a new military security regime in the region. To create such a regime, key regional actors must develop a joint strategy to implement the concept. In the early twenty-first century, opinion leaders in the region must transform the region into a new security order exemplified by reconciliation, mutual respect, power sharing, and complementary interests. A realistic strategy to achieve the goal is to build a security regime.