South Korea’s New Deal and its future diplomatic role
South Korea’s New Deal and its future diplomatic role
WRITTEN BY INGRID RAFAELE RODRIGUES LEIRIA
19 February 2021
The launch in mid-2020 of South Korea’s New Deal has created a wave of public discussion in all segments of Korean society with voices among the public, academia, and government all debating the effectiveness of this ambitious project. The New Deal was first introduced by President Moon Jae-in's ruling Democratic Party during last years April parliamentary elections and was officially launched in July.
The plan contains a set of impressive goals, including net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, the end of overseas coal plant support, and a carbon tax. Whilst sparking a domestic policy debate, it has also brought greater attention to South Korea. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Republic of Korea has not only effectively fought to flatten the curve of coronavirus infections but has, in response to the economic damage wrought, developed a plan to create a new economy based on sustainable jobs and combating climate change.
This was seen as early as April 2019 when South Korea launched and commercialised mobile 5G services, and announced the ambition for 6G commercialisation by 2027. Since then, the government in Seoul has been increasing its investments to grow its role as a leading nation in major technology initiatives and more recently expanding its eco-diplomacy with the Korean New Deal. This approach aims to advance ecological protections through diplomacy that seeks to influence by example, this includes the conservation of natural resources and effective environmental management; key tasks set via the New Deal. While this project is underway it will need a significant level of investment and commitment, notably from Korean civil society, as well as the public and private sectors.
Seoul should use its high technology capabilities (in green and digital initiatives) to promote worldwide sustainable development, therefore, the Korean New Deal and the adaptation of eco-diplomacy must become an essential pillar of South Korea’s future foreign policy.
In an era of imminent climate change, those nations that adapt the quickest will garner significant diplomatic advantages over those economies that remain reliant on carbon-producing sources of energy. President Moon Jae-In has already used the Korean New Deal as a signal of intent regarding the country’s climate ambitions by transitioning from a carbon-dependent to a low-carbon economy, from an unequal society to one which is more inclusive and with a greater focus on green and digital technologies. The New Deal is a declaration of leadership by South Korea to become both a global leader in green and sustainable initiatives and to transform itself domestically.
South Korea in a geopolitical context
With the immediate re-joining of the Paris Agreement by the United States (following the inauguration of President Joe Biden) Washington has sent a clear message about the country’s future approach towards key diplomatic priorities. The Biden Administration appears, post-Trump, eager to re-establish its role as a leader on climate issues. Thus, looking to solidify its commitment to sustainable energy sources. This creates a valuable opportunity for South Korea to strengthen ties with the US through their joint commitments toward greater sustainable and renewable energies.
Relations between Presidents’ Biden and Moon risk being diverted however due to geostrategic tensions on the Korean Peninsula. While the partition of Korea has outlasted the Cold War, the peninsula continues to play host to rivalry between the great powers with China and Russia seeking to influence events in North Korea, while China and the United States contest each other in South Korea. The US-China power battle and the risk to security posed by North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs has constantly thwarted Seoul’s efforts to pursue its middle power diplomacy. This, in turn, has forced Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explore alternative forms of diplomacy. One such alternative has been the Korean Wave, the rise since the 1990s of South Korean popular culture (notably K-Pop), which has made a significant mark on the consciousness of the global community but was itself not sufficient to increase substantially the South’s geopolitical influence.
The concept of South Korea as a mid-level diplomatic power has long been discussed in different spheres of Korean society. The concept and policy objectives related to the term have some variations, leading to some confusion towards understanding Korea’s actual role as a middle power, thus, while Seoul can influence, ultimately it cannot shape global events. However, the positive uptick in South Korea’s reputation among the most innovative developed countries has seen the country reap substantial commercial benefits. Seoul’s economic and scientific prowess can help address the existing security impasse present on the Korean peninsula and in the future form geopolitical outcomes conducive to South Korea’s world view. The Republic’s participation in emergent scientific activities in space — the launch of South Korea’s first military satellite in July 2020 being a prime example, gives the country real geopolitical leverage. With the New Deal, Korean diplomacy can develop fresh strategies based on South Korea’s technological prowess to strengthen relationships with emerging markets, balance ties with great powers such as Washington and Beijing and increase Seoul’s wider influence in international fora.
Super Typhoon Trami photographed near Taiwan: Image credit: Alexander Gerst/Flickr.
Next steps for South Korean diplomacy
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, across the world, people have been forced to review work practices with virtual offices becoming the new norm and diplomatic relations now transitioning to the online sphere which means digital diplomacy is now simply a necessity. While countries are fighting to rebuild their shattered economies, the post-COVID-19 diplomatic landscape remains heavily in flux with the US distracted by domestic pandemic concerns and Beijing now asserting its influence and power internationally. While governments have been exploring ways to reorganise their post-pandemic economies, the focus is on sustainable approaches towards economic development with emergent technology solutions now featuring heavily. South Korea's technological prowess combined with the New Deal is set to feature in future international diplomacy and, therefore, Moon Jae-In’s government has a significant opportunity.
Historically, South Korean representatives have focused their attention on domestic audiences in order to strengthen its international outreach as the government considers citizens’ opinions a key part of diplomatic relations with other nations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ understanding of public diplomacy is a recent trend which has been led by The Public Diplomacy Act and therefore reflects a more contemporary approach. This movement has led Seoul to adopt a unique position in its foreign policy when compared with other states with officials expressing support for public diplomacy as a link to engage with the Korean public and therefore build domestic support as a pillar for a sustainable foreign policy. In comparison to other states, it is important to note that The Republic of Korea has been particularly forward-looking in its use of social media to connect and communicate with a domestic audience. Hence to improve South Korea's image worldwide the government now needs to show its commitment to both communities and build out an international public diplomacy program highlighting Seoul’s twin successes in both combating COVID-19 and climate change — this can be undertaken in tandem with the soft power built by the Korean Wave.
Seoul needs to assert its technological capabilities to pursue cooperation in a complex post-COVID-19 diplomatic environment. To achieve this goal, it should embrace areas beyond current diplomatic practices based on conventional diplomatic and military power and while existing public diplomacy approaches are useful there is room for improvement. The government of Moon Jae-in should increase its participation in cross-government eco-friendly organisations, adapting economies to the global challenges of COVID-19 and climate change. Seoul should use its high technology capabilities (in green and digital initiatives) to promote worldwide sustainable development, therefore, the Korean New Deal and the adaptation of eco-diplomacy must become an essential pillar of South Korea’s future foreign policy.
Policy initiatives Seoul could pursue include:
Engage with international networks of non-state actors from technical and academic communities to promote knowledge-based people to people exchanges.
Tap into the extensive expertise of foreign academics living and working in Korea to assist with Seoul’s diplomacy and international outreach.
Allow embassies and consulates to expand their networks to develop small, focused centres that boost the Republic of Korea’s reach among audiences in other countries.
With the adoption of these tools, pushing out the success story in fighting COVID-19 and in developing a post-pandemic economic recovery plan based on sustainable, green energy; South Korea could play an important role as an international leader in innovation and sustainable economic development.
DISCLAIMER: All views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent that of the 9DASHLINE.com platform.
Author biography
Ingrid Rafaele Rodrigues Leiria is a PhD candidate in Economics at Korea University, South Korea. Image Credit: Flickr/Republic of Korea