전쟁과 분단을 딛고 반세기 만에 수원국에서 공여국으로 변모하며 성숙한 민주국가로 도약한 한국은 세계 14위의 경제력을 가진 중견국가로서 연성국력을 극대화하는 새로운 다자외교 패러다임 모색을 통해 중견국 외교를 펼칠 때가 되었다. 가교외교는 한국의 다양한 중간적 위치를 활용하여 국제평화와 번영에 기여함으로써 외교적 영향력을 확보하기 위한 개념이다. 가교외교 추진에 가용한 우리의 자산은 1)선진국과 개도국의 입장을 잘 이해할 수 있는 입장, 2)강대국들과 달리 전략적 야심의 부재, 3)세계 10위권 경제력을 바탕으로 한 가교역할 수행 능력, 4)국제평화 유지 분야의 충분한 자산, 5)반도국가, 아태지역의 중간적 위치, 6)무역대국, 에너지 수입대국 및 상당 규모의 해외동포공동체를 통한 네트워크, 문화의 중간자적 위치와 종교적 포용성 등을 들 수 있다. 가교외교의 성공적 수행을 위해서는 1)미래예측과 기민한 대응, 2)틈새전략 구사, 3)선택과 집중, 4)탄탄한 네트워크 구축, 5)원칙 중시 외교, 6)인류 보편적 가치 확산, 7)국력에 상응한 국제책임 이행, 8)국민의식 제고, 9)창의적 사고와 전문성 배양이 이루어져야 할 것이다. 성공적 다자외교는 우리 국력을 신장하고 국력을 외교력으로 변환하는 데 촉매제로서 중요한 역할을 담당할 것이며, 가교외교라는 새로운 패러다임을 통해 세계를 무대로 한국외교의 종심을 깊게 하여 국가이익을 보다 다원적으로 확보할 수 있을 것이다. 이런 시도는 경성권력과 연성권력을 결합하여 스마트파워(smart power)로 성장하는 첩경일 것이다.
Overcoming the division of the Korean Peninsula and the Korean War, Korea has, in half a century, transformed itself from a recipient of international aid to a donor country, from an authoritarian developing country to a mature democracy. As a middle power and the 14th largest economy in the world, now is the time for Korea to pursue diplomacy focused on enhancing its diplomatic capabilities and national standing by increasing its diplomatic influence at various levels. In this regard, Korea needs to proactively seek a new paradigm of multilateral diplomacy aimed at maximizing its soft power. Korea is uniquely placed in an intermediate position at different geopolitical levels such as Northeast Asia (sub-regional level), East Asia (regional level), the Asia Pacific (inter-regional level) and the international community (global level). ‘Bridging Diplomacy’ is a concept which aims to secure greater diplomatic influence by making use of Korea’s middle power status in various contexts to contribute to global peace and prosperity. The following may be considered assets in the pursuit of ‘bridging diplomacy.’ 1) Position to understand both advanced and developing countries, 2) Absence of strategic ambitions unlike super-powers, 3) Capability to assume a bridging roles as one of the 20 largest economies, 4) Abundant resources for international peace-keeping, 5) Status as a peninsular state and a middle power in the Asia Pacific, 6) a large trade oriented and energy importing country, establishment of networks with a significant number of overseas compatriots, 7) Position to serve as a link between East and West and embrace cultural and religious tolerance. To successfully implement ‘bridging diplomacy,’ we should focus our attention on 1) forecasting the future and being prepared to take prompt actions, 2) a niche strategy, 3) focusing on priorities, 4) establishing strong networks, 5) rule based diplomacy, 6) fostering universal values, 7) assuming international responsibilities reflecting its national power, 8) fostering deeper understanding amongst the people and 9) nurturing creative thinking and expertise. Korea’s successful multilateral diplomacy will play an important role in translating our national power, which is set to increase further in the years ahead, into strengthened diplomatic capabilities. It will also serve as a catalyst in the expansion of our national power. Through the new paradigm of ‘bridging diplomacy,’ Korea will deepen its central pillar of diplomacy by expanding its horizons from its Korean Peninsula oriented foreign policy towards Asia, the Pacific and the world stage in order to secure its national interest through a multi-dimensional approach. Such efforts will enable us to find a short cut towards combining hard power and soft power to achieve ‘smart power,’ a goal embraced by advanced countries.