Understanding South Korean Middle Power Diplomacy Discourses Through the Concept of Sadae (Serving the Great)
Abstract
This study aims to examine South Korean middle power diplomacy discourses using premodern Korea’s diplomatic thinking-cum-practice of sadae (serving the great) as a heuristic device. It is argued that current discourses of South Korea as a middle power resonate with sadae because they strive to secure the existing liberal international order led by the West and the United States. It also argues that it is both necessary and healthy for South Korean middle power diplomacy studies to denaturalize its self-evident faith in the existing liberal international order—a not universal but particular order among several possible others in history—with South Korea celebrating and appropriating liberal values. This would prepare South Korean middle power diplomacy research to tackle uncertainty, difference, and pluralism in global politics while producing more responsible and responsive scholarship in international relations.
References
- 2012] China’s strategic futures: Debating the post-American world order. Asian Survey, 52(4), 617–642. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- 2018] Competing visions of a postmodern world order: The Philadelphian system versus the tianxia system. Cambridge Review of International Affairs, 31(5), 392–414. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- 2020] Is anybody still a globalist? Rereading the trajectory of US grand strategy and the end of the transnational moment. Globalizations, 17(1), 60–76. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- 2016]
Compressed modernity: Constitutive dimensions, manifesting units, and historical conditions . In Y. Kim (Ed.), The Routledge handbook of Korean culture and society (pp. 31–47). New York, NY: Routledge. Google Scholar [ - 2019] The Chinese tributary system and traditional international order in East Asia during the Ming and Qing Dynasties from the sixteenth to nineteenth century. Journal of Chinese Humanities, 5(2), 171–199. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- 2011] North Korea’s nationalist discourse: A critical interpretation. Korea Observer, 42(2), 311–343. Google Scholar [
- Cho, Y. C. []. (2019). Zhongguo jueqi yu guoji zunzhong: Yige fei zhongguoren de yazhouren guandian [Rising China and international respect: A non-Chinese Asian perspective from below]. Ouya Yanjiu [, Eurasian Studies Quarterly], 6, 39–46. Google Scholar
- 2021] How does South Korea make sense of the rise of illiberal China in East Asia today? Prospect & Exploration, 19(12), 109–132. Google Scholar [
- 2017] Taiwan’s international visibility in the twenty-first century: A suggestive note. International Journal, 72(1), 79–90. Google Scholar [
- 2010]
Why is there no non-Western international relations theory? Reflections on and from Korea . In A. Acharya & B. Buzan (Eds.), Non-Western international relations theory: Perspectives on and beyond Asia (pp. 69–91). London: Routledge. Google Scholar [ - 2016]
East Asian security and South Korea’s middle power diplomacy . In S. J. Lee (Ed.), Transforming global governance with middle power diplomacy: South Korea’s role in the 21st century (pp. 15–34). New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Crossref, Google Scholar [ - Chun, C. []. (2020). Talnaengjeongi gugjepyeonghwajilseoui daejeonhwangwa Hanguk-ui milae [, The great transformation of international peace order in the post-cold war era and the future of Korea]. IPUS HORIZON, 1, 1–4. Google Scholar
- 1993] Relocating middle powers: Australia and Canada in a changing world order. Vancouver: UBC Press. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- 2011] Ancient Chinese power, modern Chinese thought. The Chinese Journal of International Politics, 4(4), 349–374. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- 2008] South Korea’s miraculous democracy. Journal of Democracy, 19(3), 128–142. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- 2008] China, East Asia and the global economy: Regional and historical perspectives. Abingdon, UK: Routledge. Google Scholar [
- 1990] Middle power leadership and coalition building: Australia, the Cairns Group, and the Uruguay round of trade negotiations. International Organization, 44(4), 589–632. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- 2020] A world for democracy: Liberal internationalism and the crises of global order. New Haven: Yale University Press. Google Scholar [
- 2013] The rise of Korean leadership: Emerging powers and international order. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- Jang, I.-S. []. (2014). Junghwachejewa “sadae”—hanjung sadaegwangyee gwanhan jeongchihagjeog haeseog—[ ‘’— —, Tianxia, power structure, and sadae: Reconsidering the meaning of sadae in China-Korea tribute relations]. Hanguk Dong-yang Jeongchi Sasang Sa Yeongu [, The Review of Korean and Asian Political Thoughts], 13(2), 185–218. Google Scholar
- Jung, S. C. []. (2020). Jayujuui segyejilseoui soetoe? Geullobeol paegwonui yaghwawa minjujuui junggyeongugui gyuchiggibanjilseo chugu [?The retreat of liberal world order? Declining global hegemony, middle power democracies, and a rules-based order]. Jeongchi Jeongbo Yeongu [, Journal of Political Science & Communication], 23, 141–164. Google Scholar
- Jung, Y. []. (2006). Joseon-ui jogongcheje insiggwa hwal-yong [The conception and utilization of the tribute system in the Joseon Dynasty]. Hanguk Jeongchi Oegyo Sanonchong [, Journal of Korean Political and Diplomatic History], 27(2), 5–32. Google Scholar
- 2007] China rising: Peace, power, and order in East Asia. New York: Columbia University Press. Google Scholar [
- 2010] East Asia before the West: Five centuries of trade and tribute. New York: Columbia University Press. Google Scholar [
- 2020] International order in historical East Asia: Tribute and hierarchy beyond Sinocentrism and Eurocentrism. International Organization, 74(1), 65–93. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- Kang, J. I. [], & Lee, S. []. (2015). Yugyojeog gugjejilseoui inyeomgwa geu hyeondaejeog hamui [, Confucian international order: Its ideal and contemporary implication]. Hanguk Cheolhag Nonjip [, Journal of Korean Philosophical History], 47, 171–206. Google Scholar
- Kang, S. []. (2015). Jung-gyeongug ilonhwaui isyuwa jaengjeom [Theorizing middle powers: Issues and debates]. Gukje Jeongchi Nonchong [, Korean Journal of International Relations], 55(1), 137–174. Google Scholar
- Kang, S. []. (2020). Migug judoui jayujuui gugjejileoseo: Gwageo, hyeonjae, geuligo milae [:,,, The American-led liberal international order: Past, present, and future]. Gukje Jeongchi Nonchong [, Korean Journal of International Relations], 60(2), 301–330. Google Scholar
- 2013] The American tributary system. The Chinese Journal of International Politics, 6(1), 1–47. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- 2015] Korea’s middle-power diplomacy in the 21st century. Pacific Focus, 30(1), 1–9. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- 2009] International relations studies in Korea: Retrospects and prospects. Pacific Focus, 24(3), 402–421. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- Kim, S. [Sangbae]. (2014). Roles of middle power in East Asia: A Korean perspective (EAI MPDI Working Paper No. 2). East Asia Institute. http://eai.or.kr/data/bbs/eng_report/20140203158563.pdf Google Scholar
- Kim, S. [Sangbae] []. (2015). Jung-gyeonguk gong-gong-oegyoui ilon: Maelyeoggwa neteuwokeuui sigak [:The third generation of middle power diplomacy: Network perspective]. Sahoi Pyongron [, Social Commentary]. Google Scholar
- Kim, S. [Sangbae] []. (2016). Je3sedae junggyeonguk oegyolonui mosaek: Neteuwokeu ilonui sigak [ 3 :A quest for a treatise on the third-generation middle power diplomacy]. In Y. Sohn, S. Kim, & S. Lee (Eds.), Hanguk-ui jung-gyeongug oegyo: Yeogsa ilon silje [Middle power diplomacy of South Korea: History, theory, and practice] (pp. 1–44). Location: Myeong-in Munhwasa [, Myung-in Publishers]. Google Scholar
- Kim, S. [Sangbae] []. (2020). Sinheungmudaeui jung-gyeongug oegyo boghabjijeonghag-ui sigag [Middle power diplomacy on an emerging stage: A perspective of complex geopolitics]. In S. Kim (Ed.), Sinheungmudaeui jung-gyeongug oegyo: Boghabjijeonghag-ui sigag [:Middle power diplomacy on an emerging stage: A perspective of complex geopolitics] (pp. 11–36). Location: Sahoe Pyeonglon Akademi [, Social Criticism Academy]. Google Scholar
- 2014] Confucian democracy in East Asia: Theory and practice. New York: Cambridge University Press. Crossref, Google Scholar [Sungmoon]. [
- Kim, S.-M. (2016). South Korea’s middle-power diplomacy: Changes and challenges (Research Paper). Asia Programme, Chatham House. https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/publications/research/2016-06-22-south-korea-middle-power-kim.pdf Google Scholar
- 2015] Rising China, pivotal middle power South Korea, and alliance trasition theory. International Area Studies Review, 18(3), 251–265. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- Kim, W. []. (2016). Jung-gyeongug chaeglyag: Mi jung sai hanguk-ui seumateu oegyo [:Middle power strategy: Korean smart diplomacy between the United States and China]. Location: Sechang Chulpansa [, Sechang Publishers]. Google Scholar
- Kim, Y. (Ed.). [2016] The Routledge handbook of Korean culture and society. New York: Routledge. Crossref, Google Scholar
- Kwon, S. []. (2010). Yugyomunmyeong-gwon-ui gugjegwangye: Chaegbongjedoleul jungsim-eulo [:International relations in the Confucian world: With special emphasis on the investiture system]. Hanguk Jeongchi Oegyo Sanonchong [, Journal of Korean Political and Diplomatic History], 31(2), 103–134. Google Scholar
- Kwon, S. []. (2014). Yugyoui ye(lye)gyubeom-eseo bon jeontongsidae dong-asiagugjegwangye [ ()East Asian interstate relations in Confucian Li thought]. Hanguk Jeongchi Oegyo Sanonchong [, Journal of Korean Political and Diplomatic History], 35(2), 139–170. Google Scholar
- Lee, C. H. [], & Jung, G. []. (2010). G20gwa jung-gyeongugga yeoghallon: Hanguk oegyo jeonlyag-ui mosaeggwa tu-peiseu geim [G20 : –, G20 and the role of middle powers: A search for Korea’s diplomatic strategies and the logic of two-face game]. Hanguk Simin Yunli Haghoe [, The Korean Civic Ethics Society], 23(2), 43–62. Google Scholar
- Lee, G. (2021, May 14). A tale of two hegemons. The Korea Times. Google Scholar
- Lee, H. [], & Jeon, H. []. (2018). Migug paegwon-eun ye-oejeog-inga?: Aikenbeliui jayujuui gugjejilseo ilon bipan [?:Is American hegemony exceptional?: A critique of Ikenberry’s liberal internationalism]. Hangukgwa Gukje Jeongchi [, Korea and International Politics], 34(4), 1–31. Google Scholar
- 2016] China’s hegemony: Four hundred years of East Asian domination. New York: Columbia University Press. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- Lee, O. []. (2021, June 17). Jung-gug-ui modeun geos-eul silh-eohaneun haegsim jibdan, nugulkka? [, ?, The core group that hates everything in China, who is it?]. SisaIN. https://www.sisain.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=44821 Google Scholar
- Lee, S. J. (Ed.). [2016] Transforming global governance with middle power diplomacy: South Korea’s role in the 21st century. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Crossref, Google Scholar
- 2016]
South Korea’s middle power roles: Implications to emerging middle power . In S. J. Lee (Ed.), Transforming global governance with middle power diplomacy: South Korea’s role in the 21st century (pp. 161–165). New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Crossref, Google Scholar [ - Lee, S. [Sang-won] []. (2021, July 14). 20daeneun wae ileohge jung-gug-eul silh-eohalkka? [20 ?, Why do people in their 20s hate China so much?]. SisaIN. https://www.sisain.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=45025 Google Scholar
- Lee, S. [Shin-wha] []. (2019). Is the liberal international order at risk?: Causes and remedies. Segye Jiyeog Yeongu Nonchong [, The Korean Journal of Area Studies], 37(2), 369–395. Google Scholar
- Lee, S. [Shin-wha] [], & Park, J. J. []. (2021). Mijung paegwongyeongjaengsidae intae jiyeog-ui jayujuui gugjejilseo: Dojeongwa jeonmang [ :The liberal international order in the Indo-Pacific in the midst of U.S.-China hegemonic competition: Challenges and prospects]. Gukje Jiyeog Yeongu [, International Regional Studies], 25(2), 219–250. Google Scholar
- 2019]
South Korea’s democracy 3.0 and implications for its foreign relations . In N. Szechenyi (Ed.), Asianism and universalism: The evolution of norms and power in modern Asia. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. Google Scholar [ - “Mi jungsim jung gyeonje” seon-eonhan G7 … munjeongbudo chinjungsadae (chinjungsadae) jeob-eoya [‘ ’ G7 … ()G7 declared “US-led containment of China” … The Moon Jae-in administration should scrap its pro-China sadae]. (2021, May 6). Munhwa Ilbo [, Munhwa Daily]. http://www.munhwa.com/news/view.html?no=2021050601073111000005 Google Scholar
- Mo, J. (Ed.). [2015] MIKTA, middle powers, and new dynamics of global governance: The G20’s evolving agenda. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Google Scholar
- 2016] South Korea’s middle power diplomacy: A case of growing compatibility between regional and global roles. International Journal, 71(4), 587–607. Google Scholar [
- Moon, J. I. []. (2021, June 13). Jaching hanmidongmaenglonjaui “4gaji usang” [ ‘4’ The self-proclaimed “four idols” of South Korea-U.S. alliance champions in South Korea]. Hankyoreh Shinmun [, The Hankyoreh]. https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/opinion/column/999126.html Google Scholar
- 2017] Sovereignty and status in East Asian international relations. Cambirdge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- 1990] Middle power internationalism: The North-South dimension. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- 2011]
The possibility and inevitability of a Chinese school of international relations theory . In W. A. Callahan & E. Barabantseva (Eds.), China orders the world: Normative soft power and foreign policy (pp. 37–53). Washington, DC: Woodrow Wilson Center Press. Google Scholar [ - 2020] Grown from within: Building a Chinese school of international relations. The Pacific Review, 33(3–4), 386–412. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- 2019] China and international theory: The balance of relationships. Abingdon, UK: Routledge. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- 2014] The middle-power challenge in East Asia: An opportunity for co-operation between South Korea and Japan. Global Asia, 9(2), 84–91. Google Scholar [
- 2012] “Middle powers” like South Korea can’t do without soft power and network power. Global Asia, 7(3), 30–34. Google Scholar [
- 2017] A proposal for the South Korean new administration’s middle power diplomacy. JPI Research Series, 40, 20–23. Google Scholar [
- 2020]
ROK and the middle power diplomacy . In C.-I. Moon & M. J. Moon (Eds.), Routledge handbook of Korean politics and public administration (pp. 242–255). Abingdon, UK: Routledge. Crossref, Google Scholar [ - 1979] Theory of international politics. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company. Google Scholar [
- 2019] Leadership and the rise of great powers. Princeton, NJ: Princetion University Press. Crossref, Google Scholar [
- Yan, X., Bell, D. A., & Zhe, S. (Eds.). [2011] Ancient Chinese thought, modern Chinese power. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Google Scholar
- Yun, P. I. []. (2018). Jeongeundae dong-asia cheonhachegyewa jogongcheje [, The “tianxia system” theory and tribute relations in premodern East Asia]. Dongyang Munhwa Yeongu [, Youngsan Journal of East Asian Cultural Studies], 29, 133–158. Google Scholar
- 2015] Chinese hegemony: Grand strategy and international institutions in East Asian history. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. Google Scholar [
- Zhao, T. (2011). Rethinking empire from the Chinese concept “all-under-heaven” (tianxia, ). In W. A. Callahan & E. Barabantseva (Eds.), China orders the world: Normative soft power and foreign policy (pp. 21–36). Washington, DC: Woodrow Wilson Center Press. Google Scholar