Climate Change in the Arctic Geopolitics

• Main Author: 강동훈
• Other Authors: 신성호, KANG Donghun, 국제대학원 국제학과(국제협력전공)
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 서울대학교 대학원 2022
• Subjects: Arctic; Climate Change; Geopolitics; Northern Sea Route; Russia; Sea Power; 327.17; Climate change; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10371/181078; https://dcollection.snu.ac.kr/common/orgView/000000171353

학위논문(석사) -- 서울대학교대학원 : 국제대학원 국제학과(국제협력전공), 2022.2. 신성호. This Paper aims to find out the effect of climate change on geopolitical settings of the Arctic Circle. The paper focused on the fact that Arctic sea-ice and severe cold, the common obstacles of regional maritime traffic and ground access, pointed out by several classical theories, are being reduced by climate change. This led to the research on the classical geopolitics change in status in terms of academic and regional strategic dialogues; and changes in geopolitical status of regional states derived from climate change. Qualitative research methodology was chosen in writing the thesis, collecting data on climate change; collecting and reviewing cases and previous publications; and doing comparative research on regional states The paper sees climate change and melting arctic would negatively impact the status of classical geopolitical view on northern Eurasia, although it will not significantly harm the value of classical geopolitical theory as a tool for analyzing issues. Its also found that melting Arctic provides sufficient strategic interest and incentive for Russia to escape the traditional geopolitical identity as a land-locked Heartland, which was imposed by Arctic glaciers and containment policies from the outside. The research also identified that Russia, with clear understandings of changing circumstances, is making responses through making geostrategic plans and policy implementations. Additionally, through comparative analysis on strategic capacity and geostrategic planning, the research identified Russias relative superiority in Arctic region in strategic perspective. Meanwhile, concerning the future security environment of the Arctic, the paper predicts possible regional conflict and security concerns due to negative factors like: duality in security perspective of opening Arctic; issues in maritime law regarding Arctic territorial claims and freedom of navigation; and increased security dilemma from soured relations between Russia and the ...