Armed Forces, Civil-Military Relations, and the Conditions for Peace In East Asia

East Asia has developed into one of the world's major economic centers. At the same time, however, the region continues to face a variety of sources of conflict, including historical disputes, territorial conflicts, arms competition, and security issues on the Korean Peninsula. In particular, recent strategic rivalries and growing security uncertainties have further emphasized the importance of regional peace. Peace should not be understood merely as the absence of war; rather, it refers to a condition in which cooperation among states is sustained and a stable international order is maintained.

In the field of international relations, various levels of analysis are employed to examine the causes of peace and conflict. Among these, the international system level and the state level serve as key analytical frameworks for understanding peace in East Asia. This study aims to analyze the conditions necessary for peace in East Asia from both the international system and state-level perspectives and to explore ways to establish and sustain lasting peace in the region.