This study analyzes Nation Branding Policy Active and Policy drive
system by looking at those in Korea and other countries. As at this point of
time, Korea successfully held the G20 Seoul summit in 2010 and will hold the
PyeongChang Winter Olympic in 2018, it is worthy of attention that this study
focuses on nation branding which is a kind of strategy of soft power, because
Korea lacks resources of government positive policy while has many negative
images: inter-Korean issue, labor dispute, ward-heeling politics, etc.
There are some differences in Nation Branding Policy among the
countries around the world. Some emphasize on government involvement on
nation branding policy but others do not. Which makes this happen? This
study tries to this question from new institutionalism, both historical and
sociological institutionalism.
To find the answer, firstly, this study empirically reviewed and analyzed
the basic and detailed concepts of nation branding from the communicational
point of view which are nation branding, nation branding identity and image,
nation branding personality and association.
Secondly, this study will seek to find some implications of the Korean
Nation Branding through the findings. The advanced countries are classified
into three groups, referred to as competitive(British and the U.S),
interventionist(Germany and Japan), and eclectic(Switzerland and New
zealand). This study analyzes each group's characteristics, main policy, etc
based on the historical institutionalism.
In conclusion, the differences in Nation Branding policies among three
state groups are closely related to difference in historical and institutional
characteristics among them. It is interesting that the nation branding
mechanism and interaction of all variables within each group are very similar.
The theoretical implications of this comparative analysis on advanced
countries' nation branding policies in this study finally gives rise to various
implications for the goal of the Korean Nation Branding Policy and the
strategy for it.
The future research should be sophisticated with full consideration of the
nation branding, subdivided periods and done by integrated approach in
respect of public administration.