A security and peace mechanism for Northeast Asia: the economic dimension

Abstract

Northeast Asia is notable for the relative absence of regional institutions.

Hedley Bull and International Society: Contemporary Reflections on the Korean Peninsula

“…There have been varying degrees of optimism and pessimism on this possibility [10,33]. Much of this has to do with issues of improving trade relations and investment opportunities, improving and utilizing energy resources, better environmental cooperation and economic aid as well as encouraging cultural exchanges such as inter-Korean family reunions.…”

“…However these domestic constraints are not necessarily a fetter on a states' international commitments. Through Bull's work these informal international commitments which whilst not being legally binding or institutionalised per se, are, nevertheless, a declaration of intent and an 'endgame' [10]. Moreover, if these commitments were to be rejected then a states' reputation and ultimately its national interests would be harmed.…”

“…The reaction from the surrounding states implied that such a declaration breached the codes of agreement that six party talks would help with regional peace and security. 10 This has been a familiar pattern of crisis escalation and crisis resolution behaviour [20].…”

“…The Six Party states also set the conditions for the development of developing long term peaceful nuclear technology and the de-nuclearisation of the Korean peninsula through the normalisation of bi-lateral and multi-lateral diplomatic relations. There are also recent calls for an increase of trade and economic cooperation with the possibility of building mutual trust and a 'spillover' of soft power into the security arena [10,23]. For instance the February 2007 Joint Declaration of the Six Party nations echoes the conscious and intended evolution of mutual trust through a 'word for word' commitment and 'action for action' commitment [9].…”

“…Indeed China seems to be hoping that North Korea will follow its lead in establishing its own new model of economic development and trade with neighbours [30]. This might in turn impact on the geopolitical relations of the region [10]. Japan and Russia are concerned with a unified Korean peninsula under Western influence but want stability for trade and natural resource access of which North Korea has an abundance.…”