Abstract

This study examines the cooperation between Busan and Dalian by conceptualizing them as representative maritime cities of South Korea and China, respectively. It reinterprets their relationship through the lens of maritime city cultural diplomacy. Moving beyond traditional port and logistics-focused approaches, the study explores how maritime cooperation can be institutionalized at the city level across four key areas: maritime education and training, maritime law and arbitration, maritime tourism and cultural exchange, and strategic collaboration in response to emerging Arctic shipping routes. The findings demonstrate that Busan and Dalian possess similar maritime industrial structures, human resource systems, and cultural assets, providing a robust foundation for enhanced intercity cooperation. Specifically, the establishment of joint maritime education and research platforms and cooperation in maritime legal governance are identified as crucial mechanisms for strengthening regional maritime capacity and governance resilience. Furthermore, cooperation in maritime tourism and cultural exchange can fortify the social foundations of maritime collaboration, while coordinated responses to Arctic shipping routes present a long-term strategic opportunity for risk-sharing and capability building. Overall, the Busan-Dalian case illustrates how maritime city-based cooperation can complement state-centered diplomacy and contribute to the development of a sustainable and inclusive maritime cooperation model in Northeast Asia.