@article{ART003219479},
author={Kim Ju Hyung and Oh Hongju},
title={Institutionalizing Middle-Power Security Cooperation: Strategic Convergence Between South Korea and Canada in the Indo-Pacific},
journal={Asia-Pacific Journal of Canadian Studies},
issn={2951-0619},
year={2025},
volume={31},
number={1},
pages={17-36},
doi={10.22691/kacs310102}
TY - JOUR
AU - Kim Ju Hyung
AU - Oh Hongju
TI - Institutionalizing Middle-Power Security Cooperation: Strategic Convergence Between South Korea and Canada in the Indo-Pacific
JO - Asia-Pacific Journal of Canadian Studies
PY - 2025
VL - 31
IS - 1
PB - Korea Association For Canadian Studies
SP - 17
EP - 36
SN - 2951-0619
AB - This paper examines the strategic convergence between South Korea and Canada in the Indo-Pacific, proposing a multidimensional framework for institutionalizing bilateral security cooperation between two geographically distant middle powers. It hypothesizes that functionally driven cooperation can be institutionalized in the absence of formal alliances or geographic proximity, when grounded in norm entrepreneurship, strategic complementarity, and shared middle-power identity. Guided by a synthesized realist–constructivist framework, the study draws on process tracing and discourse analysis of official documents from 2022 to 2024. It identifies four pillars of convergence: maritime security and Indo-Pacific strategy alignment; multilateral interoperability; cooperation in emerging domains such as cyber, space, and cognitive security; and defense industrial collaboration, including submarine and MRO programs. The findings support the hypothesis, showing how the two countries leverage institutional creativity and normative alignment to develop scalable, forward-looking cooperation. The article concludes by addressing risks such as geopolitical backlash, legal-institutional barriers, and domestic volatility, and offers phased implementation strategies. It argues that Korea–Canada security cooperation offers a replicable model for norm-driven middle-power alignment in a shifting Indo-Pacific order.
KW - Indo-Pacific security;Middle-power diplomacy;Korea-Canada relations;Cybersecurity
DO - 10.22691/kacs310102
ER -
Kim Ju Hyung and Oh Hongju. (2025). Institutionalizing Middle-Power Security Cooperation: Strategic Convergence Between South Korea and Canada in the Indo-Pacific. Asia-Pacific Journal of Canadian Studies, 31(1), 17-36.
Kim Ju Hyung and Oh Hongju. 2025, "Institutionalizing Middle-Power Security Cooperation: Strategic Convergence Between South Korea and Canada in the Indo-Pacific", Asia-Pacific Journal of Canadian Studies, vol.31, no.1 pp.17-36. Available from: doi:10.22691/kacs310102
Kim Ju Hyung, Oh Hongju "Institutionalizing Middle-Power Security Cooperation: Strategic Convergence Between South Korea and Canada in the Indo-Pacific" Asia-Pacific Journal of Canadian Studies 31.1 pp.17-36 (2025) : 17.
Kim Ju Hyung, Oh Hongju. Institutionalizing Middle-Power Security Cooperation: Strategic Convergence Between South Korea and Canada in the Indo-Pacific. 2025; 31(1), 17-36. Available from: doi:10.22691/kacs310102
Kim Ju Hyung and Oh Hongju. "Institutionalizing Middle-Power Security Cooperation: Strategic Convergence Between South Korea and Canada in the Indo-Pacific" Asia-Pacific Journal of Canadian Studies 31, no.1 (2025) : 17-36.doi: 10.22691/kacs310102
Kim Ju Hyung; Oh Hongju. Institutionalizing Middle-Power Security Cooperation: Strategic Convergence Between South Korea and Canada in the Indo-Pacific. Asia-Pacific Journal of Canadian Studies, 31(1), 17-36. doi: 10.22691/kacs310102
Kim Ju Hyung; Oh Hongju. Institutionalizing Middle-Power Security Cooperation: Strategic Convergence Between South Korea and Canada in the Indo-Pacific. Asia-Pacific Journal of Canadian Studies. 2025; 31(1) 17-36. doi: 10.22691/kacs310102
Kim Ju Hyung, Oh Hongju. Institutionalizing Middle-Power Security Cooperation: Strategic Convergence Between South Korea and Canada in the Indo-Pacific. 2025; 31(1), 17-36. Available from: doi:10.22691/kacs310102
Kim Ju Hyung and Oh Hongju. "Institutionalizing Middle-Power Security Cooperation: Strategic Convergence Between South Korea and Canada in the Indo-Pacific" Asia-Pacific Journal of Canadian Studies 31, no.1 (2025) : 17-36.doi: 10.22691/kacs310102
