Topic: Rising Nationalism and Political Extremism
Country: South Korea
Delegate Name: Peter Sage
School: Grand Rapids City High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All South Korea position papers GLIMUN 2018 committees
Nationalism has played an important role in the formation of many states in existence today and is not necessarily a force of belligerence. When taken to the extreme, however, it becomes a device to alienate and harm people that are not similar to those expressing it. The United States and France were both founded on revolutions started with nationalism. In these cases, the ideology was used to create fraternity, and fight what was seen as an oppressive power. In other cases, however, it has been used as an excuse to oppress those who are unlike its expressers. A recent surge in nationalism and political extremism has brought International attention to the subject. In some places, groups of people wishing for statehood are using nationalism as a reason to harm others, inciting violence.
The Republic of Korea recognizes that putting one’s nation’s domestic interests above those of other nations is part of being a sovereign state, and does not see this form of nationalism as an issue. In some cases, such as that of the Islamic State, nationalism is being expressed to an extreme. Members of the organization do not wish only for their unity as a state, but also to eliminate those who are unlike them. This form of Nationalism is destructive and is seen as a considerable issue by the Republic of Korea.
The Republic of Korea maintains that the recent rise in nationalism and political extremism is a considerable issue, and should be addressed. However, the Republic of Korea also maintains that nationalism is not exclusively an ideology of belligerence, and does not need to be struck down simply for being expressed. The Republic of Korea would support a resolution that protects people from losing their freedoms and safety to political extremism but does not threaten the expression of patriotism and sovereignty of state.
