Natural resources and national security: an ecological interpretation of South Korea's security

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:7242039

Lee, M Y

Perception of the importance of ecological issues in international politics has been on the increase since the early 1970s. One factor in the revival of interest is the widely shared concern over potential natural-resource shortages resulting from rapid world population and economic growth. Resource problems cause various types of threats to different countries. This study represents an effort to incorporate an ecological dimension into national security planning. Concentrating on South Korea, it explores two general concerns: enhancing carrying capacity, and evaluating supply security. South Korea has a very deficient natural resource endowment despite having one of the highest population densities in the world. The findings can be generalized into theoretical and policy arguments: (1) an adequate supply of natural resources is seen as vital to national security; (2) foreign trade is seen as a useful instrument to improve a nation's resource position, but heavy involvement in international trade causes other security problems of sensitivity and vulnerability; and (3) national supply security is determined by the varying supply conditions and the variable policy planning to avoid any supply interruptions.

• Research Organization: Maryland Univ., College Park (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7242039
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
290400* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Energy Resources
ASIA
CORRELATIONS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DOMESTIC SUPPLIES
IMPORTS
MANAGEMENT
NATIONAL SECURITY
PLANNING
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
SECURITY
SUPPLY DISRUPTION
TRADE