Executive Summary
This article analyzes the evolution of South Korea's cybersecurity strategy since the 2010s. It argues that Seoul has employed a dual-track approach: 'hypersecuritisation' to amplify threat perceptions and 'norm-grafting' to align with international norms for legitimacy. This strategy has enabled a shift from a defensive to a more proactive and assertive posture, balancing domestic political constraints with the imperatives of the US-ROK alliance and its middle-power ambitions.
Why It Matters
This document provides a critical framework for understanding how middle powers like South Korea strategically adapt their cybersecurity posture in a complex geopolitical landscape, offering insights into the interplay of domestic discourse, international norms, and alliance dynamics.
Key Takeaways
- South Korea's cybersecurity strategy has shifted from defensive to proactive, driven by internal threat perception and external norm alignment.
- The concepts of "hypersecuritisation" and "norm-grafting" are key analytical tools for understanding this strategic evolution.
- South Korea leverages its middle-power status and alliance with the US to enhance its cyber capabilities and project political influence.
- The strategic evolution reflects a realist convergence of security conceptions on the Korean Peninsula.
Strategic Relevance
This analysis is strategically relevant as it dissects the mechanisms by which a key regional actor, South Korea, is enhancing its cybersecurity posture and influence. It highlights the importance of both internal narrative construction (hypersecuritisation) and external alignment (norm-grafting) in shaping national security strategies, particularly for middle powers navigating great power competition and persistent threats.