South Korea released its Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) on Dec. 28, 2022, adding its name to a long list of countries expressing their interests in the Indo-Pacific region. 

To its credit, the IPS recognizes the region's challenges, such as rising uncertainties in the security environment, geopolitical competition and the arms race. However, the ROK’s  Indo-Pacific Strategy is arguably a misnomer, as it largely neglects the “Indo” part relating to the strategic role of the Indian Ocean and India in favor of focusing on the Pacific Ocean.