Organizational and Legal Foundations of The Foreign Policy of The Republic of Korea
Abstract
This article offers a comprehensive and theoretically grounded analysis of the organizational and legal foundations of the foreign policy of the Republic of Korea. By integrating constitutional analysis, institutional theory, and international legal perspectives, the study examines how formal structures and political dynamics shape foreign policy outcomes. Particular attention is paid to executive-legislative relations, bureaucratic coordination, and the role of international law. The findings suggest that although South Korea possesses a sophisticated and resilient institutional framework, persistent challenges—such as executive dominance, political polarization, and strategic inconsistency—continue to affect long-term policy coherence. The study contributes to the broader literature on middle powers and institutional governance in foreign policy.