Issue Repositioning Korea's cooperation with emerging connecting countries

Summary

Countries that rose as new supply-chain bridges between the two powers, such as India, ASEAN members and Latin American states, are now being hit hard by the intensifying US-China conflict. The report sets out to derive a strategic repositioning of Korea's approach to these emerging connecting countries. It proposes treating India as a partner for market diversification, global production networks, critical mineral supply and multilateral cooperation that balances the powers. ASEAN is cast as a partner for market diversification, production networks and critical minerals, while Latin America, with its domestic-market potential and mineral supply, is seen partly as a US near-shoring base. The New Northern region is to serve market diversification, mineral supply, a wider diplomatic and security horizon and cooperation on peace on the Korean Peninsula.