Issue Balancing the Korea-US alliance with Korean-style strategic autonomy

Summary

Balancing the Korea-US alliance with a Korean form of strategic autonomy, and harmonising US-Japan-Korea cooperation with China-Japan-Korea cooperation, is presented as a key task. The report argues that Korea's policy toward both powers should aim to maximise national interest through pragmatic diplomacy and flexible repositioning between them. It calls for a full domestic debate on what strategic autonomy between the US and China should mean for Korea. The basic frame should remain developing cooperation with China on the foundation of a solid Korea-US alliance, so that strengthening the alliance does not undermine ties with Beijing. Achieving this requires national consensus on interests and priorities, greater strategic flexibility built on self-strengthening and stronger multilateral diplomacy.