Issue EU de-risking raises Korea's strategic value as a supply-chain partner

Summary

As the EU reduces critical supply-chain dependence on China and widens cooperation with trusted countries, Korea's strategic value can rise. Korea already has a free trade agreement and a digital cooperation framework with the EU. It also has manufacturing capabilities in semiconductors, batteries, electric vehicles, defence and some clean technologies. The report stresses that Korea is not a party that can replace the EU's supply chains wholesale. It is better seen as a cooperation partner able to contribute to diversification and to expanding production capacity in key strategic industries.