{"id":2205725,"date":"2024-07-09T17:06:55","date_gmt":"2024-07-09T08:06:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2205725"},"modified":"2024-07-10T17:57:15","modified_gmt":"2024-07-10T08:57:15","slug":"south-koreas-ambitious-foreign-policy-risks-overextension-and-inconsistency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/07\/south-koreas-ambitious-foreign-policy-risks-overextension-and-inconsistency\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea\u2019s ambitious foreign policy risks overextension and inconsistency"},"content":{"rendered":"
President Yoon Suk-yeol’s diplomatic strategy aims to establish South Korea as a \u201c<\/span>Global Pivotal State (GPS)<\/span><\/a>,\u201d but this approach raises concerns about the country\u2019s ability to maintain focus and deliver on its long-term commitments, especially considering the potential for inconsistency due to domestic political changes.<\/span><\/p>\n Since assuming office in 2022, Yoon has sought to position South Korea as a defender of liberal democracy, human rights and the rule of law. This contrasts with the previous Moon Jae-in administration, which <\/span>prioritized<\/span><\/a> improving relations with North Korea at the expense of pursuing a more global focus beyond the Korean Peninsula.<\/span><\/p>\n Yoon has engaged in multilateral outreach, emphasizing South Korea\u2019s role as a \u201cresponsible stakeholder\u201d in addressing global challenges such as green technology, infrastructure, digital access, governance and social development.<\/span><\/p>\n He has met with over 90 world leaders and expanded South Korea\u2019s bilateral and regional engagements beyond its traditional focus on ties with the U.S., Japan, China and Russia.<\/span><\/p>\n Key achievements include establishing a \u201c<\/span>semiconductor alliance<\/span><\/a>\u201d with the Netherlands, strengthening economic and security cooperation with <\/span>ASEAN countries<\/span><\/a>, enhancing strategic partnerships with <\/span>Middle Eastern nations<\/span><\/a>, and holding South Korea\u2019s first standalone summits with <\/span>Pacific Island countries<\/span><\/a> in 2023 and <\/span>48 African nations<\/span><\/a> in June.<\/span><\/p>\n These summits focused on cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, defense, green energy, maritime security and development.<\/span><\/p>\n The international community has generally responded positively to South Korea\u2019s GPS ambition, viewing it as a contribution to multilateral cooperation. The U.S. expressed support for Seoul\u2019s initiatives in its <\/span>2023 Integrated Country Strategy<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n However, as South Korea engages in a wide range of initiatives across various fields, there are concerns that it may overextend itself, resulting in a lack of depth and focus in its global outreach.<\/span><\/p>\n