Speaker
Description
This study focuses on the linkages between sport, development, and diplomacy in the South Korean context. Current approaches to the use of sport to achieve (social) development goals can be traced to the longstanding tradition of “sport for good” stemming from the 19th century British public school system. Korea’s initial involvement in sport for good was influenced with the first introduction of modern sport in the 19th century too. However, its first foray into sport for development in line with sovereign diplomatic efforts started with the development of modern Korea after Japanese rule ended in 1945. Focusing on the diplomatic roles played by sport during the period of national development, this study focuses its analysis on four critical stages: 1) Korea’s introductory steps into the global sporting world at events from 1945 to 1960; 2) Park Chung-hee’s Korean developmental state from 1961 to 1979; 3) Korea’s global coming out via the Seoul 1988 Olympics; and 4) Korea’s development cooperation efforts from 1991 to the present. Drawing on the conceptual frameworks of sport diplomacy, public diplomacy, and soft power, this analysis offers a comprehensive understanding of the tripartite blending of sport, diplomacy, and development at both the national and international levels, as well as of the historical transformation of Korean sport diplomacy during the course of Korea’s politically-guided development practice. This study will contribute to the ongoing discussion on alternative approaches to mainstream (Western) sport for development by offering new insights into Korea’s forthright approaches to diplomacy in the development context.
