Jeju Peace Institute

HAN Intaek(Senior Research Fellow, Jeju Peace Institute)

Multilateral security cooperation has the potential to complement and eventually replace existing security strategies and institutions in Northeast Asia, as the latter increasingly show signs of dysfunction. Discussions on multilateral security cooperation in Northeast Asia are usually focused on how to replicate Europe’s experiences in Asia. However, Southeast Asia is more similar and close to Northeast Asia than Europe is in terms of history and culture Southeast Asia is also an exemplary case in which multilateral security cooperation was achieved in a short period.

Track 2 diplomacy refers to policy dialogues between public officials acting in their private capacity and policy experts. In multilateral security cooperation in Southeast Asia, Track 2 diplomacy has often led and complemented Track 1 diplomacy. A network of policy experts called ASEAN ISIS has played a significant role in this process.

In order to promote multilateral security cooperation in Northeast Asia, it is necessary to enhance the competency of policy experts and institutionalize dialogues between policy experts and policy-makers, as was the case in Southeast Asia. Also, it is important to ensure the “integrity” and “credibility” of the processes that generate ideas for multilateral security cooperation in order for such ideas to be embraced by governments in the region.