[기획연구]한·일 FTA 체결이 한반도 안보에 미치는 영향

Korea-Japan FTA and its Influence on the Korean Peninsula Security

Korean and Japanese governments are working on the Korea-Japan Free Trade Agreement(KJFTA) to conclude it by the end of year 2005. Generally speaking, a closer economic relationship brings about a higher community-consciousness even in the field of security. It is expected that the security cooperation between Korea and Japan will be strengthened as their economies are getting further integrated by the KJFTA. In turn, this would result in consolidation of the tripartite security cooperation system established among Korea, the U.S, and Japan. On the other hand, the KJFTA is anticipated to promote the Japanese capital, techniques and managerial know-how to make inroad into the North Korean market via South Korea's free trade area. That means the KJFTA could be an important aid improving the Pyongyang-Tokyo relationship and forming an economic cooperation system among the two Koreas and Japan. The most serious ill effects of the KJFTA might be produced in relation to the China factor. China already offered proposals to conclude the Korea-China FTA and the Korea-China-Japan FTA. In this situation, an early conclusion of the KJFTA without having consideration for the Chinese interests may provoke China. Furthermore, if the KJFTA helps reinforce the security cooperation relationship between Korea, Japan, and the U.S, the Chinese sense of isolation and wariness will be heightened. That will make the security environment of the Korean Peninsula gloomy and unstable. It is time to take mid- and long- term measures to maximize the positive effects and minimize the negative effects of the KJFTA. This article suggests the South Korean government to make it clear that its ultimate goal is to form a regional community in East Asia, and thus its FTA and other regional (economic and security) policies are totally based on the so-called “open regionalism.” Then the KJFTA should only be the start of South Korea's long-term regional policy. It will be followed by the Korea-China FTA, the Korea-China-Japan FTA, and the East Asia FTA. And such work to build an economic community in the region is to be linked and supported by the efforts to form a corresponding security community. The initiative of “the Northeast Asian era of Peace and Co-prosperity,” launched by the Roh Moo-hyun government, reflects the needs of the current situation well. It is aimed at creating an economic and security community in Northeast Asia.