A Study on the Strategic Autonomy in Korean Diplomacy: Focusing on Korea's Improvement of Relations with Hungary

Abstract

This study analyzed the Korea’s improvement of relations with Hungary, which was completed before the end of the Cold War, by applying the concept of strategic autonomy. This phenomenon is not easily explained by a realistic approach that emphasizes the international structure and the power of the great powers. This study emphasizes the need to examine Korea’s internal diplomatic capabilities in order to explain the improvement of relations between Korea and Hungary. To this end, this study presents strategic autonomy as an alternative analysis concept, which has not been dealt with in terms of the performance of Korean diplomacy. As a result of the analysis, Korea’s improvement of relations with Hungary is explained in terms of strategic autonomy in that it proactively achieved the goal of Korean foreign policy, establishment of diplomatic relations with the communist bloc, in cooperation with its ally, the United States.