SOUTH KOREA – EU SECURITY COOPERATION: PROBLEMS AND

PROSPECTS

Bruxelles 25 June 2014

Dr. Stefano Felician Beccari, Ph.D.

SOUTH KOREA AND EU: A SECURITY PERSPECTIVE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

1. The Pacific pivot: Europe and Asia

2. The security issues in the Korean Peninsula

- WMD

- Conventional weapons (missiles proliferation)

- DPRK collapse and regional implications

3. EU and South Korea: natural partners in regional security?

Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

After the end of the Cold War a new array of challenges has emerged in the world.

Today many threats to the European Union are not related (anymore?) to conventional threat (i.e.: state conflict).

But the 21st century does not seem quiet and peaceful as it was predicted.

From the 2nd World War many events which happened in Asia had a direct impact on Europe.

1. THE PACIFIC PIVOT: EUROPE AND ASIA

In the 50s the eruption of the Korean War (1950-1953) clearly influenced the politico-military evolution of Europe and NATO.

Since 2011 (“Canberra's address”) the US administration has re-focused its priority to the Asia-Pacific;

Due to this new approach and the growing ties and relations between Europe and Asia, European Union as a whole should (must?) reflect on its role in this area.

2. THE SECURITY ISSUES IN THE KOREAN PENINSULA

Today the Asia Pacific roughly presents three main security challenges to the world's stability: terrorism/separatism (mainly concentrated in the South-East Asia), border disputes (both on land and at sea) and the risk of nuclear proliferation.

Two of these issues can be found in the Korean peninsula. But if the maritime dispute (Dokdo/Takeshima islands) has a regional importance, nuclear weapons (and other WMDs) have a global impact.

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WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

WMDs are one of the most dangerous issues of the whole peninsula. Even if DPRK has also chemical and biological capabilities, EU and EU member states are particularly concerned by DPRK's nuclear capabilities.

DPRK has tested nuclear weapons (“N” bombs) three times, in 2006, 2009 and 2013.

These three explosions has been the first of the 21st century.

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CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS (MISSILES)

In the recent years DPRK has developed different missiles with different payloads and range.

Usually DPRK tests its own arsenal firing one or more missiles in order to “explain” its discontent.

The growing arsenal of DPRK is one of the main assets of the country's economy; the export of these technologies are relevant on the political and on the economical level.

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DPRK COLLAPSE AND REGIONAL IMPLICATIONS

A “nightmare scenario” could be the collapse of DPRK under internal or external pressure, or a combination of both.

The end of the Kim's regime would have a serious impact on the whole region, and mainly on South Korea and China.

This event could also influence European Union economy, without considering other security risk (like the atomic arsenal)

3. EU AND SOUTH KOREA: NATURAL PARTNERS IN REGIONAL SECURITY?

On 23 May in Seul EU H.R. Catherine Ashton made an official visit to Seul. Here she met ROK's President Park Geun-Hye. The two leader had spoke about “security cooperation, non-proliferation and recent developments including the DPRK and North East Asia cooperation. They also spoke about recent developments in their respective neighbourhoods including the DPRK, North East Asia cooperation and other international issues, such as Ukraine, Iran and Syria”.

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REGIONAL SECURITY?/2

The relations between the EU and South Korea are deep and especially developed in the field of trade (EU-ROK FTA 2011)

Terrorism and counter-terrorism, WMD, control and trade of small arms and organized crimes are some of the fields in which EU and ROK can implement their cooperation.

On the other hand, on the level of strategic priorities and threats, there are many differences between the two sides.

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REGIONAL SECURITY?/3

In South Korea there is also a major presence of US troops (~ 30.000), while EU is too far in case of a conventional attack.

But there are two other fields in which EU and ROK can develop common strategies and approaches:

- Cyberwarfare/cyberespionage;

- Defence/Security technology, developing cooperation among companies;

CONCLUSIONS

EU and South Korea share many common values and common positions;

The development of economic relations between the partner can lead to futher reflections on security and even defence issues;

South Korea is a valuable partner for EU in a region that is quickly changing.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION