“Para o mar, para o mundo”: a modernização da Marinha da República da Coreia rumo às águas azuis

Abstract

This research analyzes how the naval power of the Republic of Korea has developed and modernized throughout its history, with emphasis on the current phase towards blue waters, to understand the Republic of Korea Navy's ambition in the face of vulnerabilities of the strategic environment in which it operates. Adopting the case study methodology, the present work includes a bibliographic review, a search in the theoretical framework, and previous field research. This research discusses key concepts and the blue waters conception in naval strategic thinking. Additionally, the South Korean strategic environment is analyzed, emphasizing the relations of the Republic of Korea with neighboring countries - especially Japan, China, DPRK, and the military alliance with the USA - and naval modernization programs, such as destroyers KDX, Jang Bogo submarines, and the introduction of the CVX aircraft carrier. The analysis of the Republic of Korea in the 4th Industrial Revolution era and the rise of defense and shipbuilding industries are present, which also contribute to the modernization of South Korean naval power. In this way, this research seeks to understand the development model from an inexpressive naval power to one of great relevance in about 70 years. This work focuses, in particular, from 1995 – the beginning of the current phase of modernization towards blue waters – to 2020 – the first half of the ROK Navy Vision 2045 plan, to make the Navy a complete ocean naval force in 2045. Understanding the strategic thinking and actions of the Republic of Korea, it is necessary to occasionally resort to facts from the Korean naval legacy and explain the country's navy development throughout its trajectory. Thus, the research results show the regional projection of the South Korean Navy beyond its exclusive economic zone, the performance in the Gulf of Aden, under CTF-151, and the rise positions in the ranking among the largest shipbuilders and defense exporters. In this sense, the Republic of Korea balances the military alliance with the USA, the desire for self-sufficient defense, and the expansion of the reach and operations of the South Korean Navy. The Republic of Korea Navy is in the initial stage of the blue-water navies’ classification, according to the examination of Navies typologies with emphasis on Todd and Lindberg classification. Also, the work identifies points of reflection that the South Korean trajectory offers to medium-sized navies, such as the Brazilian Navy