The Possibility of Naval Cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Japan and Its Influence on Peripheral States

한${\cdot}$일 해군협력의 가능성과 주변국에 미치는 영향

This research paper examines the Navy of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) to determine if the two navies can cooperate to enhance the security of Northeast Asia. This paper reviews the advantages and limitations of naval cooperation between the ROK and Japan, describes the threats to both, and evaluates domestic, regional and international factors to answer the questions : Is naval cooperation possible? How would might it take? what secunity burdens might the ROK Nayy and the JMSDF be reasonably expected to assume from the United States? Paper conclusions are based on the studies within the framework of today's realities. Consequently, the conclusions may seem undramatic. However, they are based on not what could happen if all parties agreed to accept radical change, but rather upon the assumption that all parties will want to change the least for the greatest benefit.