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ROK Maritime Governance Objectives in the Pacific
The Republic of Korea (ROK) has a significant interest in Pacific maritime governance owing to its reliance on maritime trade, its security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region, and how the ROK's Indo-Pacific Strategy intersects with its aspirations to become a "Global Pivotal State," a term coined by the Yoon Suk Yeol government. The ROK's objectives and actions in Pacific maritime governance can be understood through its strategic perspectives, policies, contributions, and the challenges it faces. There are two ROK objectives related to Pacific maritime governance. The first is to ensure freedom of navigation. As a major trading nation, South Korea is highly dependent on sea routes connecting the Korean peninsula to the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and the Malacca Strait for its exports and imports, including critical energy and other resources. Safeguarding freedom of navigation in the West Pacific along with so-called "like-minded" countries is vital to its economic security, often labeled as protecting supply chains.
Second, regional stability and security via enforcing alliance and alignment are critical. South Korea aims to contribute to maritime stability, particularly in response to increasing tensions involving regional power competition between China and the United States alongside Japan. In particular, the hegemonic challenger, China, has aggressively grown its military presence in the West Pacific. For South Korea, guarding against North Korea's ever-growing military threat remains a priority. Strengthening alliances and security partnerships among like-minded countries in the region is critical. South Korea seeks to enhance security cooperation with key regional players such as the United States, Japan, Australia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Pacific Island countries such as Fiji to promote maritime governance.
ROK Key Policies and Activities
Three points illustrate the ROK's policies and actions to improve Pacific maritime governance. First, developing its own Indo-Pacific Strategy has been a decisive...