Korea's Strategic Choices in a Turbulent Global Power Shift

Referencing the 1905 treaty that stripped Korea of sovereignty, the editorial warns that history could repeat unless Seoul builds a robust “survival capacity.” It synthesizes forecasts from scholars such as Hal Brands, Kurt Campbell and Rush Doshi, outlining six possible world orders, from a US-China Cold War to a fragmented multipolar system. Korea’s leverage lies in its dominance of high-bandwidth memory, shipbuilding and nascent nuclear expertise, but these must be coupled with self-defence capabilities, reduced reliance on foreign energy and rare-earth supplies, and a balanced diplomatic stance that allies with the US without being subordinate.

The author calls for a middle-power coalition with Europe, Japan, Canada and Australia to counter predatory moves by the US, China or Russia. By mastering these variables, Korea can move from a potential menu item to a decisive participant in future global negotiations.