Koreans in the Persian Gulf: Policies and International Relations

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