Reconfiguring arctic governance: law, identity, and europe –Korea cooperation

Abstract

This study examines the structural transformation of Arctic governance through a constructivist lens, focusing on the strategic roles of discourse, identity evolution, and performance-based contributions. Climate change and escalating geopolitical rivalries—particularly post-Ukraine war—have exposed the institutional limitations of the Arctic Council and eroded the traditional "low-tension cooperation" paradigm. In this shifting landscape, geographic proximity is giving way to functional, contribution-based participation as the primary source of legitimacy. Within this framework, this paper analyzes the complementary trajectories of European and South Korean engagement. While Europe provides normative leadership grounded in environmental regulation and multilateral institution-building, South Korea has steadily expanded its role from a "responsible observer" to a technological and operational "enabler," backed by its robust domestic legal frameworks, shipbuilding capacity, and polar research infrastructure. The study argues that integrating Europe’s normative sophistication with Korea’s industrial and technological expertise offers a strategic pathway to overcome existing governance deficits. Ultimately, Europe–Korea cooperation represents a model for a more inclusive, adaptive, and resilient multilateral architecture capable of balancing sustainable development with environmental stewardship in a rapidly changing Arctic.