Northeast Asian Regional Integration : Theoretical Perspectives, Current Realities, and Future Prospects :Theoretical Perspectives, Current Realities, and Future Prospects

Choi Young Jong

doi:10.14731/kjis.2007.12.47.5.113

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Theoretical Perspectives, Current Realities, and Future Prospects

...

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한국국제정치학회
국제정치논총 학술저널
The Korean Journal of International Relations Vol.47 No.5
2007.12 113 - 129 (17page)
DOI : 10.14731/kjis.2007.12.47.5.113

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Choi Young Jong

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This paper analyzes the current state and the future prospect of Northeast Asian regionalism from the perspectives of various theories of regional integration. This paper identifies four key conditions for the success of regional integration: functional demands, leadership, common exigencies or sharing of strategic interests, and common identity. This study shows that Northeast Asia fails to meet these conditions at present, and the situation is likely to continue for quite a while. The most serious obstacle will continue to be the strategic rivalry between Japan and China. Another challenge to overcome is Japan's reluctance to integrate with less developed neighbors.
A plausible option for the successful integration in Northeast Asia is to take a gradual approach that will start from a Japan-South Korea FTA. This would bring together the two biggest democratic, capitalism economies in east Asia. Once established, it could be expanded into a trilateral FTA including China. However, this option cannot proceed if China is opposed. Then, Northeast Asia may have to continue boring functional cooperation.

#regionalism #regional integration in Northeast Asia #Functionalism #political will #leadership problem #common identity #level of development