La industria de defensa de Corea del Sur: implicaciones geopolíticas, económicas y en materia de derechos humanos

Camilo Alberto Vargas-Cano; Juan Fernando Gil-Osorio; Jonnathan  Jiménez-Reina; Darío Rodríguez-Perdomo

doi:10.22201/fesa.26832917e.2025.7.1.460

Authors

Camilo Alberto Vargas-Cano Ejército Nacional de Colombia (CO) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9037-6455
Juan Fernando Gil-Osorio Colombian Army Military Academy "General José María Córdova" (CO) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6605-6846
Jonnathan Jiménez-Reina Escuela Superior de Guerra “General Rafael Reyes Prieto” (CO) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9042-834X
Darío Rodríguez-Perdomo Independent researcher (CO) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3306-388X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22201/fesa.26832917e.2025.7.1.460

Keywords:

South Corea, human rights, international humanitarian Law, defense industry

Abstract

This article analyzes the expansion of South Korea's defense industry and its implications for human rights (HR) and international humanitarian law (IHL), taking into consideration the constitutional framework of the South Korean state, national security legislation, and international standards. This study is based on an interdisciplinary approach that integrates geopolitics, defense economics, and human rights, examining both South Korea's economic growth as an weapon exporter as well as internal tensions related to nuclear development. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach, supported by documentary analysis of official reports and specialized texts, aiming to identify patterns and contradictions between defense policy and human rights commitments. The analysis shows that, while South Korea seeks to consolidate itself as a strategic ally of the West, the expansion of arms trade industry poses challenges for the protection of human rights and compliance with IHL, especially regarding to the indirect trade of weapons in conflict zones. Finally, recommendations aimed at harmonizing defense policy with international commitments are presented; promoting a more consistent approach with the values of peace and respect for human rights.

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Author Biographies

Camilo Alberto Vargas-Cano, Ejército Nacional de Colombia

Active-duty Colombian Army officer. He holds a Master's degree cum laude in Strategic Human Talent Management from Sergio Arboleda University; a Master's degree in Public Procurement from the Universidad de Medellín; a Master's degree in National Security and Defense from the Escuela Superior de Guerra; an MBA (Master in Business Management) in Senior Business Administration from the university Francisco de Vitoria; a Lawyer from Universidad Antonio Nariño; a Business Administration degree from the Universidad Politécnico Gran Colombiano; and a professional in Military Sciences from the Escuela Militar de Cadetes “José María Córdova”.
Juan Fernando Gil-Osorio, Colombian Army Military Academy "General José María Córdova"

Lawyer from the Universidad de Medellín, PhD in Law from the Universidad Externado de Colombia, Master's degree in Human Rights and Democratization from the Universidad Externado de Colombia and Carlos III de Madrid, specialist in Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law from the Universidad Externado de Colombia, specialist in University Teaching, specialist in International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts (DICA). Former Dean of the Facultad de Derecho de la Escuela Militar de Cadetes “General José María Córdoba”, university professor, academic peer of the National Accreditation Council, member of the Academia Colombiana de Derecho Internacional (ACCOLDI), Junior Researcher (IJ) acknowledged and categorized by MinCiencias.
Jonnathan Jiménez-Reina, Escuela Superior de Guerra “General Rafael Reyes Prieto”

PhD candidate in International Security, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Spain. Master's degree in Security and Defense and Master's degree in Human Rights and DICA, Escuela Superior de Guerra “General Rafael Reyes Prieto”, Colombia. He holds a degree in Politics and International Relations from Universidad Sergio Arboleda, Colombia. Associate researcher at the Ministry of Sciences. Editor-in-chief in Estudios en Seguridad y Defensa magazine of Escuela Superior de Guerra (ESDEG).
Darío Rodríguez-Perdomo, Independent researcher

Lawyer, Master's degree in Public and Constitutional Law, PhD candidate in Law.

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