• Analyses & Alternatives
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.45-71
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• 2024

The main purpose of this study is to explore the possibilities and limitations of Korean diaspora public diplomacy as a form of polylateral diaspora diplomacy, and to seek alternative approaches. In Korea's public diplomacy policy, the participation of diaspora communities has remained limited, and their potential has yet to be fully reflected in the policy. For diaspora public diplomacy to hold significance as an alternative to traditional diplomacy, it must propose alternatives that maximize the ontological characteristics of overseas Korean communities as deterritorialized entities, along with their multilingual and multicultural potential. Polylateral diplomacy is based on diaspora's capability as a "global imagined community" with a hybrid identity, that connects various non-state actors. Furthermore, from this perspective, this study evaluates the diaspora public diplomacy of Israel and Ireland and seeks to draw implications for Korea's public diplomacy. For Korea's diaspora public diplomacy to evolve into polylateral diaspora public diplomacy, the diaspora communities must secure autonomy from the state and be able to engage with various actors in civil society. Additionally, it must fill the content of public diplomacy with universal values. Considering the history and identity of the Korean diaspora as well as the situation on the Korean Peninsula, special attention can be given to the significance of the concept of peace.