隨著經濟全球化時代的來臨，經濟實力成為決定政治主導權的關鍵因素，以及評價一國之國際地位的主要判準。對韓國而言，拓展自身的海外市場，擴大企業的全球競爭力與影響力，透過政府推動的區域FTA與經濟援助，無疑是達成其目標的重要步驟。因強而有力的經濟外交不僅有助於塑造良好的區域政經環境，有效緩和區域內國家政治議題的衝突性，以保障自身經濟發展環境的穩定；亦可透過經濟活動的相互交流與滲透，帶動並協助南韓企業進軍海外市場，同時解決自身經濟資源稀缺的困境；更能經由區域經濟合作，達到多邊外交的目標，特別是在東北亞地區，如何在中美兩強之間，和平並適當地處理與北韓的關係，進而不受到中美單一方的強勢影響，經濟外交將是在政治作為上有力的協同手段。值此，本研究將透過經濟外交的國際政治論述來觀察經濟外交在冷戰體系瓦解後所展現出的外交意涵，並從中觀察南韓整體經濟外交戰略的發展，以及南韓近年來如何借助FTA簽署型態的強化，來建構區域整合的經濟外交行動，與其經濟外交策略的思維發軔與轉變，並嘗試透過韓國在中美之間於東亞區域政經權力的競逐與互動，來觀察經濟外交策略的機會與挑戰
In the era of economic globalization, economic performance has become a key factor in determining political influence and evaluating a country’s international status. For South Korea, it’s undoubtedly important to expand the overseas markets and strengthen the global competitiveness and influence of enterprises through economic diplomacy including regional FTA and aid. Because powerful economic diplomacy will not only shape a good regional political and economic atmosphere, but also effectively alleviate the conflicts between states. It can solve the problem of scarce economic resources in South Korea, and boost the regional economic cooperation in Northeast Asia. At the same time, how to handle relations with North Korea peacefully and appropriately to avoid being affected by China and the US is also the goal of economic diplomatic strategy for South Korea. This research will explore the implications of economic diplomacy after the collapse of the cold war system and the development of economic diplomacy strategy in South Korea. It will also explore how South Korea has constructed the regional integration by FTA and try to analyze the opportunities and challenges of Korean economic diplomacy under the influences of China and the US.
