Shifting perspective in South Korea : National Security and Defence objectives between 2006 and 2020.

This Master's thesis focuses on the Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of National Defense's (MND) official White Papers from 2006, 2012, and 2020, to analyze how the MND's perception of the global and regional security environment has evolved and how its national security priorities have adapted. This was done by applying a qualitative idea analysis utilizing key concepts from Neorealism and Social Constructivism as its theoretical framework, complemented by Carol Bacchi's WPR approach. The study concluded that while facing a complex security landscape shaped by the DPRK nuclear advancements, PRC influence, and U.S. alliance dynamics, the ROK MND's perception, as presented in the White Papers, evolved to include more detailed regional threats and global crises like COVID-19. Security priorities demonstrated a shift, increasingly reflecting neorealist concerns with capabilities and survival in response to direct threats and great power competition. However, the ROK also strategically utilized social constructivist elements like identity-building and alliances to maintain its position and influence on the world stage, highlighting the complex balance between different approaches to security. While, the White Papers themselves are understood as documents shaped by specific purposes and potential biases, aiming to present a particular image to domestic and international audiences.