Policing Northeast Asia

This book explores the progress in and the obstacles surrounding developing comprehensive security cooperation between Russia and South Korea since diplomatic relations were established in 1991 within the framework of economic security. The book focuses on oil and natural gas projects, linking the Trans-Siberian and Trans-Korean Railroads, industrial development in the Nakhodka Free Economic Zone, fishery cooperation, and the arms trade, and examines whether these five aspects of cooperation serve to contribute to building Russian-South Korean bilateral and regional economic security.   


The author argues that these five aspects of cooperation all have the potential to enhance comprehensive bilateral security and further regional economic security in Northeast Asia. However, Russian-South Korean economic cooperation has been hampered by a number of obstacles, including domestic factors as well as external factors, and prevented Russia and South Korea from fulfilling their potential for creating a cooperative comprehensive security relationship. The author concludes with an assessment on the utility of the concept of multi-dimensional security cooperation as a framework for studying and improving the prospects for Russian-South Korean bilateral relations.

​“Compelling framework for understanding NE Asia security… Brand-new perspectives on the shifting South Korean-Russian relationship…. Professor Ahn’s pathbreaking study is well-timed, coming as it does on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of South Korean-Russian relations. Ahn’s unique focus on the realities of the new economic security relationship, - energy security, transportation, rail, etc –is a welcome change from traditional formulations of hard security.  Must reading for scholars of NE Asia.” – Roy D. Kamphausen, President, The National Bureau of Asian Research (USA) 
"Professor Ahn's book could not have been published at a more appropriate time, on the third decade of normalized relations between the Republic of Korea and Russia. This is an important study of an understudied relationship in East Asia that has significant implications for the security, energy, and economy of the region. Ahn's book should be read by all serious scholars of East Asian security."  (Victor Cha, Vice Dean and D.S. Song-KF Professor of Government, Georgetown University and Senior Adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.)


"Se Hyun Ahn employs detailed empirical research of five interesting case studies to explain why Russian-South Korean economic relations have failed to fulfil initial expectations, His analysis will be indispensable reading for students of Russian or South Korean foreign policy and scholars interested in the problem of economic security." (Margot Light, Emeritus Professor of International Relations, London School of Economics)


"In this wide-ranging analysis of Russia’s relationship with South Korea, Ahn asks why Moscow and Seoul have been unable to develop the close ties both sides sought after 1992. He highlights the ongoing bilateral and multilateral obstacles to a more robust rapprochement, including a nuclear North Korea, whose long shadow continues to loom over their relationship." (Angela Stent is a professor at Georgetown University and author of Putin’s World: Russia Against the West and with the Rest)

Se Hyun Ahn is Professor of the Department of International Relations and the Director of the Center for Energy Security Strategic Studies at the University of Seoul, Korea. He is currently the Senior Advisor to the National Bureau of Asian Research and International Advisor to the China Institute of International Studies. He was formerly Vice President for International Affairs at the University of Seoul. He holds a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics, UK, an M.A. from Georgetown University, USA and B.A from Cornell College, USA.