In less than a week, Yoon Suk-yeol will be sworn in as South Korea’s next president, entering at a time when the country faces a daunting array of foreign policy challenges — from navigating U.S.-China tensions to repairing ties with Japan.

Yet it’s essential to remember that the incoming leader has never held political office and remains untested as a diplomat. That lack of experience is a cause for concern, even though he has so far surrounded himself with seasoned political veterans and knowledgeable experts.