Status Seeking through Social Creativity Has Its Limits

Sean O’Malley 동아시아국제정치학회 2014 국제정치연구 Vol.17 No.2

The paper uses social identity theory to assess South Korea’s lack of membership in the Friends of Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform, a group of small states advocating for the global elimination of fossil-fuel subsidies. This paper asks whether South Korea would be a complement to the Friends group and whether joining the group would boost Korea’s international profile and middle power status. It subsequently tries to explain why Korea has yet to join the group. After a short introduction, the paper provides a general explanation of the need for fossil fuel subsidy reform. Section three introduces the concept of social creativity and argues that South Korea is embracing status-seeking behavior. Section four presents the Friends group and assesses South Korea as a complement to that group. Section five looks at the international prospects of subsidy reform from an institutional perspective and asks whether the Friends group or South Korea can potentially influence movement in subsidy reform. Section six argues that although South Korea seems an ideal fit to join the Friends group, South Korea has not joined for a number of reasons, including domestic economic constraints, considerations in bilateral relations and Korean preferences for certain institutional structures. Lastly, the paper concludes that status-seeking behavior has its limits, and although the Friends group would add little benefit to South Korea’s international profile, South Korea’s lack of membership in the group is a missed opportunity to further subsidy reform.

Enhancing Regional Integration with the ASEAN Plus Three States?

Sean O’Malley(숀 오말리) 충남대학교 사회과학연구소 2013 사회과학연구 Vol.24 No.4

There are numerous theoretical perspectives and methods used to gauge regional cooperation and integration. Yet, quantitative measurements of a state’s propensity for increased or decreased integration have been less forthcoming. Using what is here termed ‘cumulative cooperation,’ this paper offers a new method for measuring a state’s inclination for enhanced regional integration that is based on three dimensions: security, economy and culture. Using qualitative context and a unique quantitative method, this paper analyzes South Korea’s enhanced integration prospects with the ASEAN Plus Three states. The method provides three quantitative reference points in relation to regional integration. The reference points show that South Korea is more inclined toward global security cooperation and currently demonstrates an independent streak in regional security cooperation. The reference points also show that South Korea’s economic and cultural integration with the ASEAN Plus Three region has decreased since 2007-2008. In response to these findings, possible areas of enhanced regional integration are identified and suggested.

Effort Years and Underperformance

Sean O’Malley 숙명여자대학교 아시아여성연구원 2017 Asian Women Vol.33 No.2

This paper offers an unorthodox method to determine economic underperformance in relation to a state’s desired social policy goals. The method measures what is referred to within as effort years in macroeconomic terms (EYm), and attempts to determine whether further studies on socio-structural factors that may be limiting labor force participation are warranted. It does this by comparing labor force participation across all available age groups between a state and corresponding benchmark state and then accounting for the efficiency of productivity. The results are expected to help policymakers generate a reasonable conclusion as to the increase in labor through higher employment rates and increased productivity, which are necessary to meet desired goals. In the case of South Korea, results show a considerable shortfall in effort years of productivity that could potentially contribute to economic growth and greater social protection outlays. Notably, more than 99% of South Korea’s shortfall can be attributed to the state’s gender gap in employment.

A Human Security Perspective of South Korea's Civil Nuclear Power

Sean O’Malley 한국학술연구원 2017 Korea Observer Vol.48 No.1

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Nationalism as a Primary Institution in Northeast Asia

Sean O’Malley 서울대학교 아시아연구소 2022 아시아리뷰 Vol.12 No.3

This paper contrasts and complements earlier work of Buzan and Zhang by offering an English School analysis of East Asia that is limited to the smaller regional scope of Northeast Asia. The paper argues that the inter-state society of Northeast Asia can be categorized as power political in English School theory and analyzes this inter-state society through the lens of primary institutions. In relations that are power political, classical primary institutions embedded in the region’s inter-state relations are limited, and in the case of Northeast Asia, no universal, secondary institutions exist to regulate behavior. Therefore the contention put forth is that intersubjective understandings of primary institutions provide a better vehicle for analysis of the region. The claim made in this analysis is that the master primary institution most apparent in Northeast Asia is nationalism, and the derivative primary institution of victimhood nationalism appears most prominent in interstate relations. This analysis thereby expands the theoretical range of primary institutions in international society, while offering an English School perspective on regional relations in Asia.

동아연구 : New Regionalism and South Korea`s Role in East Asia Regionalism

( Sean O Malley ) 서강대학교 동아연구소 2013 東亞 硏究 Vol.32 No.1

Since the 1997 Asian financial crisis, East Asia has seen a move toward greater regionalism. The broadening of the ASEAN + 3 dialogue mechanism is representative of increasing linkages forged between Northeast Asian and Southeast Asian states. Still, there is great speculation as to whether these new linkages will lead to the founding of a new. formal, regional institution among the ASEAN + 3 states. Using the ASEAN + 3 framework as the hypothetical foundation for a new institution in East Asia, this paper will use a New Regional Approach analysis to explore South Korea`s role in East Asia regionalism, as it compares to Japan and China. Trade, foreign direct investment and official development assistance toward ASEAN states, as well as democracy promotion proclivities will be analyzed. Based on such analysis, it is recommended that South Korea continue to increase economic and political linkages to Southeast Asia, which will enhance South Korean legitimacy as a regional partner and increase South Korea`s relative influence in furthering ASEAN + 3 integration.

Vulnerability of South Korea s Undersea Cable Communications Infrastructure: A Geopolitical Perspective

Sean O’Malley 한국학술연구원 2019 Korea Observer Vol.50 No.3

It is impossible to overstate the importance of undersea cable communications infrastructure (UCCI) to the national and economic security of South Korea. As an isolated, peninsular state surrounded by rivals and aggressors, South Korea depends heavily on these cables, which carry everything from financial transactions to critical military communications. Yet security analysts have devoted little attention to the dangers that come with this dependence. The following paper presents a unique analysis of South Korea s security by focusing on five potential points of failure, thereby highlighting a critical area of national vulnerability. Conclusions suggest policymakers and national security specialists should take additional measures to protect the South Korean state and society from potential damage to this vital infrastructure.

Can Military Normalization in Japan and Opcon Transfer in South Korea Enhance Regional Stability? A Conflict Management Framework for Rivalry Dyads

Sean O’Malley 한국국제정치학회 KJIS 2015 The Korean Journal of International Studies Vol.13 No.1

Assessing Threats to South Korea’s Undersea Communications Cable Infrastructure

Sean O’Malley 한국국제정치학회 2019 The Korean Journal of International Studies Vol.17 No.3

Undersea communications cables are critical infrastructure for the national security of South Korea. As an isolated, peninsular state, South Korea depends on these cables as its lifeline to the international community. Nonetheless, compared to its alliance partner the United States, South Korea designates fewer of its own cable systems as critical and has no uniform approach for assessing threats and protecting this indispensable infrastructure. Using a design basis threat (DBT) framework, this paper assesses the threat environment of Northeast Asia for South Korea’s undersea communications cable infrastructure, and clarifies the role of the South Korean state in protecting this infrastructure. In order to achieve these two goals, this analysis provides a threat assessment based upon South Korea’s traditional geopolitical conditions and the submarine and cyber capabilities of regional state actors. North Korea, China, Russia, and Japan. Conclusions suggest that South Korea’s undersea cables are at risk from numerous geopolitical threats and the state should participate more actively in protecting these vital lines of communication.