서강대학교

초록 (요약문)

The present study investigates the positive effects of economic integration on a developing country's chances to provide industrial transformation and decrease dependence on regional hegemons. By presenting the Strategic Developmental Integration (SDI) concept, the study showed that such integration could be achieved through i) assessment of an economic partner's strategic importance, ii) “agreed specialization” between countries within economic integration, and iii) integration with countries outside the region. The study presents three components of the SDI concept within the critique of East Asian regionalism under the dominant neoliberal approach. The analysis of the bilateral economic cooperation between Korea and China, Vietnam, and Russia revealed that Korea's strategic importance lies within the ability of technology transfer provision. However, economic integration with Korea can decrease the chances of industrial transformation if a country lacks developmental policies. In this context, the analysis of the Korea-Uzbekistan FTA within the SDI concept presents an implication for developing countries to pursue mutually acceptable and beneficial integration beyond the region.