The evolution of power relations in the global production networks of the Alaska Pollack processing. – Focus on the Alaska Pollack processing industry in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture

  This thesis aims at examining the evolution of power relations in the global production networks(GPN) of the Alaska Pollack processing, focusing on the Alaska Pollack processing industry in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture (hereinafter referred to as Yanbian) in China. To this end, it first analyzed the historical changes of the Alaska Pollack processing industry in Yanbian. for the last 70 years (1949-2020), and investigated the characteristics of main actors and their power relations in the formation of the global production networks of the Alaska Pollack processing in the Northeast Asia on the basis of the GPN power analysis methodology.
This paper points out the limitations of the existing GPN discussion, and reconstructs a comprehensive analysis framework suitable for the study of Alaska Pollack. In particular, This paper rejects the view of the state as an independent entity and an actor with consistent unity. This paper grasps the network in relation to the interactions and power relations among various social forcing acting in and through the state, such as « central governments », « local governments », « enterprises », « global investors ».
This paper shows that the state did not promote a global Alaska Pollack production network, but rather created a global pollack production network in the process of power struggles formed by connecting and colliding with various social actors and local interests based on various places.
This study is significant in that it is a specific case study that analyzes GPNs from a multi-scalar perspective. Furthermore, by observing the evolution of power relations in the GPNs of Alaska Pollack processed products, we can see the process of transnational socio-economic historical links and trends running through South Korea, North Korea, China and Russia, which provides an important enlightenment for understanding Northeast Asia.