South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy: Advancing Stability, Prosperity, and Global Partnerships
South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
In December 2022, South Korea unveiled its "Strategy for a Free, Peaceful, and Prosperous Indo-Pacific Region", marking a pivotal shift in its foreign policy. As a "Global Pivotal State", South Korea is deepening its engagement across the Indo-Pacific to promote economic growth, regional security, and a rules-based international order. The strategy focuses on inclusiveness, trust, and reciprocity, reflecting Seoul’s commitment to cooperation with key partners like ASEAN, India, Australia, and the United States.
Core Goals of South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
1. Strengthening the Rules-Based International Order
South Korea is a staunch advocate of universal values, including freedom, democracy, human rights, and adherence to international law. The strategy supports:
Freedom of navigation in key waterways, especially the South China Sea and Strait of Malacca.
Partnerships with like-minded nations such as Japan, Australia, and the United States to counter unilateral actions that threaten regional stability.
2. Expanding Strategic Partnerships
South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy broadens its diplomatic horizons by building tailored partnerships across:
Southeast Asia and South Asia through economic development and infrastructure investment.
Oceania, including closer ties with Australia and New Zealand, to address shared security concerns.
The African coast of the Indian Ocean, focusing on maritime security and sustainable development.
3. Enhancing Regional Security
Regional peace and security are vital to South Korea’s strategy. Initiatives include:
Maritime security cooperation to safeguard critical sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific.
Participation in multilateral frameworks like ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), East Asia Summit (EAS), and APEC to address security challenges.
Collaboration on countering North Korea’s nuclear threats and mitigating cybersecurity risks.
4. Promoting Economic Engagement and Connectivity
South Korea’s Indo-Pacific vision highlights economic cooperation to drive shared prosperity. Key efforts include:
Pursuing trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Developing resilient supply chains and reducing dependency on single sources like China.
Investing in digital transformation, infrastructure projects, and green initiatives in partnership with ASEAN, India, and Quad members.
Key Developments in South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
South Korea has already made strides in implementing its strategy:
1. Trilateral Security Cooperation
In August 2023, South Korea joined Japan and the United States in signing a security pact during the Camp David Summit. This initiative enhances military cooperation and intelligence sharing, addressing threats from North Korea and maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific.
2. Engagement with AUKUS
South Korea expressed interest in collaborating with the AUKUS partnership as a "Pillar II" technology-sharing partner. Areas of focus include advanced defence technologies such as hypersonic missiles, quantum computing, and cyber capabilities.
3. Deepening Bilateral Ties
In October 2024, South Korea and the Philippines upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership, prioritising defence collaboration and maintaining a rules-based order in contested areas like the South China Sea.
Challenges to the Strategy
1. Balancing Relations with the U.S. and China
South Korea’s reliance on China as its largest trading partner conflicts with its closer alignment with the United States on security and regional policies.
2. Managing North Korea’s Threats
Ongoing provocations from North Korea, including missile launches, remain a persistent threat to regional peace and stability.
3. Competing Regional Agendas
South Korea must navigate overlapping strategies from other major players like Japan, India, and Australia while maintaining its own strategic autonomy.
Conclusion: Shaping the Indo-Pacific Future
South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy underscores its ambition to play a leading role in the region’s future. By prioritising inclusivity, economic connectivity, and adherence to international norms, South Korea positions itself as a key player in shaping a free, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
Through strategic partnerships with ASEAN, India, Australia, and major powers like the United States, South Korea reinforces its commitment to regional stability and economic growth. Despite challenges in balancing relations with China, addressing North Korea’s threats, and competing with other regional powers, Seoul’s proactive approach cements its role as a Global Pivotal State in the Indo-Pacific.