Veteran diplomat returns to lead South Korea’s foreign policy amid global shifts



Profiles Veteran diplomat returns to lead South Korea’s foreign policy amid global shifts Lee Jae-myung taps Wi Sung-lac to steer alliance strategy and manage rising tensions with the US, China and Russia Joon Ha ParkJune 10, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON South Korea’s new National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and a North Korean missile salvo \| Image: Wi Sung-lac via Facebook, Moon Jae-in Blue House via Facebook, Wikimedia Commons, White House via Twitter, Prime Minister’s Office of Japan, Rodong Sinmun (May 31, 2024), edited by Korea Pro In a geopolitical climate marked by intensifying great-power rivalry and escalating regional security challenges, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has appointed veteran diplomat and strategic heavyweight Wi Sung-lac to lead the Presidential Office’s National Security Council (NSC). The move signals Seoul’s strategic bet on experienced, alliance-centric leadership to navigate a turbulent Indo-Pacific. Wi, 71, brings a 36-year diplomatic career that has placed him at the forefront of negotiations involving the U.S., Russia, North Korea and other key regional powers. Known for his intellectual rigor and steady demeanor, Wi has played a pivotal role in shaping South Korea’s approach to nuclear © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01Lee Jae Myung’s ‘pacemaker’ strategy tests South Korea’s leverage with Trump 02Trump’s Korea investment victory lap masks safeguards Seoul still controls 03North Korean POW dispute tests Seoul-Kyiv trust and future Ukraine policy 04South Korea’s CPTPP push exposes the cost of turning trade gains into consensus 05AI storage boom gives South Korea battery makers an EV overcapacity lifeline 06South Korea’s Mexico strategy runs into the hard limits of USMCA politics 07Preschool test ban forces South Korea’s English hagwons to rethink placement 08Lee Jae Myung’s Wall Street pitch tests South Korea’s capital market credibility

Profiles

Veteran diplomat returns to lead South Korea’s foreign policy amid global shifts

Lee Jae-myung taps Wi Sung-lac to steer alliance strategy and manage rising tensions with the US, China and Russia

Joon Ha ParkJune 10, 2025

Veteran diplomat returns to lead South Korea’s foreign policy amid global shifts

South Korea’s new National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and a North Korean missile salvo | Image: Wi Sung-lac via Facebook, Moon Jae-in Blue House via Facebook, Wikimedia Commons, White House via Twitter, Prime Minister’s Office of Japan, Rodong Sinmun (May 31, 2024), edited by Korea Pro

In a geopolitical climate marked by intensifying great-power rivalry and escalating regional security challenges, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has appointed veteran diplomat and strategic heavyweight Wi Sung-lac to lead the Presidential Office’s National Security Council (NSC).

The move signals Seoul’s strategic bet on experienced, alliance-centric leadership to navigate a turbulent Indo-Pacific.

Wi, 71, brings a 36-year diplomatic career that has placed him at the forefront of negotiations involving the U.S., Russia, North Korea and other key regional powers. Known for his intellectual rigor and steady demeanor, Wi has played a pivotal role in shaping South Korea’s approach to nuclear

Veteran diplomat returns to lead South Korea’s foreign policy amid global shifts

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Joon Ha Park