Structural Dilemmas of Multilateral Security Mechanisms in East Asia: A Security Governance Perspective

Abstract

This paper analyzes the role and limitations of multilateral security mechanisms in East Asia from a security governance perspective. Although economic interdependence and institutionalized cooperation have expanded in the region, security relations remain constrained by great-power rivalry, sovereignty sensitivities, and fragmented threat perceptions. Focusing on regional forums such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit, as well as issue-specific mechanisms including the Six-Party Talks and South China Sea consultations, the paper examines why these institutions persist despite their limited conflict-resolution capacity. Using an institutional analytical framework, the study argues that low levels of legalization, consensus-based decision-making, and weak enforcement mechanisms facilitate inclusive participation but restrict substantive security governance. Rather than functioning as instruments of collective security, East Asian multilateral mechanisms primarily serve as process-oriented platforms for dialogue, confidence-building, and risk management. Their continued relevance lies in managing uncertainty and reducing the risk of escalation under conditions of intensified great-power competition.