The Development of Curriculum on South Korean Foreign Policy Studies: Analysis of Outsiders and Insiders Perspectives on Korean Studies

Abstract

This article aims to assess the current status of South Korean foreign policy studies in undergraduate political science curricula, particularly in International Relations programs, and to analyze the perspectives of “insiders” (South Korean scholars) and “outsiders” (Thai or foreign scholars specializing in Korean Studies) regarding the key topics that should be incorporated into South Korea’s foreign policy courses. The objective is to contribute to the development of elective courses on South Korean foreign policy within the International Relations program under the Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration at Chiang Mai University. The central argument of this study posits that the development of knowledge on South Korea’s foreign policy should encompass three fundamental dimensions: (1) historical perspectives, (2) political institutions and interest groups, and (3) contemporary issues. These components are essential for understanding the internal transformations of South Korea, including its historical interactions with neighboring countries, relations with major powers, and shifts in the international system that influence South Korea’s strategic positioning within global political and economic structures. From a theoretical standpoint, the study of South Korean foreign policy should be approached through the lens of three major International Relations theories: structural realism, neoliberal institutionalism, and social constructivism. This theoretical framework enables a dual analysis of South Korea’s national interests—both from an empirical perspective, focusing on tangible geopolitical and economic factors, and from a constructivist perspective, emphasizing the role of evolving values, beliefs, and ideas shaped by South Korea’s unique sociopolitical context.