Koreans in the Persian Gulf: Policies and International Relations

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Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Preface Introduction Research idea Framework of analysis Significance of the study Methodological approach Book structure Notes 1. Early encounters and rivalries: Reaching out to the Persian Gulf Post–Korean War politics and economy: A securitized peninsula Postwar politics A dire economic situation Approaching the Persian Gulf: Goodwill missions Contacts from Turkey Establishing diplomatic relations A new national agenda: Industrialization and economic development A strong state in charge International components An increase in economic and political interaction: The energy factor Economic exchanges Rivalry with North Korea Notes 2. The oil boom and the ensuing construction bonanza The Korean Cause meets the Arab Cause: The first oil shock The Israeli factor in Korean–Arab relations North Korea seizes the occasion Petrodollars and a new desire for foreign goods Hitting the jackpot: The construction bonanza Korean workers in the Persian Gulf The government assumes the mantle Less visible factors The promotion of exports Working on long-term foundations: Tracing historical roots Religious and academic bodies VIP visits Developing better ties with the Persian Gulf: Major bilateral relations South Korea–Iran relations South Korea–Saudi Arabia relations Notes 3. Coping with crisis: The South’s loss is the North’s gain Changing circumstances at home and in the Persian Gulf The second oil shock Toward energy security The Iran–Iraq War Relations with Iran Relations with Iraq Military connections North Korea’s golden opportunity: The DPRK’s relationship with Iran Arms trade with Tehran Rupturing relations with Iraq Relations with other Persian Gulf states A new economic dynamism: Toward a better standard of living in South Korea A hard time for contractors Changing trade patterns Notes 4. Business as usual in an era of transition and uncertainty A transitional period and a new political environment The end of the Iran–Iraq War The end of the Cold War A crisis of a different stripe: The invasion of Kuwait, 1990–1991 South Korea’s response to the Gulf War North Korea’s attachment to Tehran A new economic shift: Investment abroad Investment in the Persian Gulf The ROK’s investments in Iran Further involvement: Unceasing construction business A new pattern of energy imports Export market developments Notes 5. The pinnacle of success in the midst of new challenges The Korean economy in transition and the Asian financial crisis Impact on foreign trade Impact on trade with the Persian Gulf The Persian Gulf in transition: The Iraq War South Korea’s response to the Iraq War Postwar relations South Korea and the GCC Courting the GCC for an FTA Privatization and economic reform Quandary over Iran: Managing relations with the two Koreas Unparalleled economic interaction The nuclear controversy and the ensuing sanctions The unfading North Korean presence Notes 6. The beachhead: Persian Gulf policy under Lee Myung-bak From “dark corner” to “spreading road” Déjà vu diplomacy The GCC: The center of a new Mideast policy Kurdistan: An investment for the future Iran: Overcoming the challenge of sanctions amid rising stakes The cultural dimension in context Energy security: A new approach to an old obsession Rivalry with fellow East Asian states Lurking turmoil and transition: What’s next for the Koreans? Notes Conclusion Putting it all together: Koreans and the Persian Gulf region Bibliography Index