서강대학교

초록 (요약문)

This dissertation sheds new light on the subject of Korea-Japan relations by introducing a neoteric analytical framework. As an alternative framework to existing theories, a ‘3-Forces’ model was developed for better understanding the fluctuations of Korea-Japan relations which continue to be a field of paramount interest to South Korea, Japan, and the United States. The three-forces, herein, are (1) the Polarity Force, (2) the Leadership Force, and (3) a Societal Force. Whereas a fair amount of earlier studies have excluded the United States in analyzing the Korea-Japan equation, this dissertation asserts that the totality of Korea-Japan relations cannot be aptly understood without including the United States. Moreover, former state leaders in Korea and Japan were analyzed for hypothesis generation. In the Societal Force domain, the dark shadows of Imperial Japan’s Kominka-Undo are paired together with South Korea’s De-Japanification movement for analysis and hypothesis generation. Upon applying the formulated 3-Forces model as an analytical framework to Korea-Japan relations, it is argued that a furtherance of South Korea’s de-Japanification process —with assistance from like-minded leaders inside both the United States and Japan— will paradoxically help push South Korea and Japan closer together as to best pursue common regional goals and interests with triangulated congruity rather than ruction.