중남미

The purpose of this study is to introduce changes and continuities in Brazilian foreign policy from its foundation era to present day and to see what would be a possible reflection on the relation between Korea and Brazil. In the history of Brazil, despite of changes in political system, the basic principle of its foreign policy has been kept unchanged; autonomy. The meaning of autonomy, however, changes from times. In the period of his independence, autonomy was understood as the recognition of its independence and the conservation of its territorial integrity. From 60s to 80s, it is regarded as keeping Brazil intact from eventual external affects. In the post Cold War and the globalization era, Brazil is the quest for international autonomy in the sense that the country can pursue a foreign policy that is free from international constraints imposed by the more powerful countries. To achieve the autonomy in each era, Brazil established and explored three different strategies: autonomy through distance, autonomy through participation and autonomy through diversification. Since the aim of present Brazilian foreign policy is the quest for the international autonomy, Korea is at a big disadvantage at the negotiation table with Brazil. Korea is still in the middle of the Cold War and is not totally free from the American influences as its national security depends on some american military aids. Korean War, in which communism and capitalism confronted each other. is a technically on going war. Because of its geopolitical weakness, it is difficult for Korea to make an autonomous political decision free from constraints imposed by U.S. As Korea may not be capable of offering what Brazil wants in handling international political issues, it is not strongly expected that the present relation between two countries be promoted and evolved to the level of strategic partnership.