Final Version of Korea's Indo-Pacific Strategy Released... "Reflecting Freedom and Solidarity Values Emphasized by Yoon"

'Inclusion, Trust, Reciprocity' Cooperation Principles Based on 9 Key Initiatives Presented
Cooperation Targets Include US Competitor 'Jungguk'
Presidential Office: "Inclusion is a Key Principle of Indo-Pacific Strategy"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 28th, the Presidential Office unveiled the final version of South Korea's first independent Indo-Pacific regional diplomacy strategy, titled the "Indo-Pacific Strategy for Freedom, Peace, and Prosperity." Unlike previous administrations that limited their focus to the Korean Peninsula issues and economic and trade cooperation, the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's plan reflects the values of freedom and solidarity in the Indo-Pacific strategy, aiming to strengthen active and strategic cooperation on bilateral, regional, and global issues.

Kim Sung-han, Director of the National Security Office, announced the final report of the Indo-Pacific strategy during a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office that morning. The government began preparing the Indo-Pacific strategy immediately after the South Korea-U.S. summit held in Seoul on May 21, and revealed the major framework at the Korea-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on the 11th of last month (local time).

Director Kim stated, "Based on the principles of inclusive, trustworthy, and mutually beneficial cooperation, we have presented nine key initiatives," adding, "President Yoon has consistently emphasized the values of freedom and solidarity, which are reflected in the Indo-Pacific region. Freedom and solidarity are core values the President has consistently highlighted in his inaugural address, the August 15 Liberation Day speech, the UN General Assembly speech, and ASEAN meetings."

Regarding the three major visions of freedom, peace, and prosperity, Director Kim emphasized, "Our government aims to uphold universal values including liberal democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, and to strengthen a rules-based order. We will promote an order based on universal values and rules, not coercion."

He continued, "We will play the necessary role to prevent conflicts and armed clashes based on international law and norms, ensuring peaceful resolutions through dialogue. While continuing efforts for North Korea's complete denuclearization, we will also work on denuclearization and cybersecurity in the Indo-Pacific region."

Additionally, he mentioned, "We will contribute to establishing a fair regional economic order that is not zero-sum," and "We will secure growth engines for economic networks and respond to supply chain crises."

The final version of the Indo-Pacific strategy includes nine tasks to realize these goals: ▲ Establishing an order based on norms and rules ▲ Cooperation to promote the rule of law and human rights ▲ Strengthening non-proliferation and counter-terrorism cooperation ▲ Expanding comprehensive security cooperation ▲ Expanding economic security networks ▲ Enhancing cooperation in advanced science and technology and contributing to closing the regional digital divide ▲ Leading regional cooperation on climate change and energy security ▲ Active contribution diplomacy through promoting customized development cooperation partnerships ▲ Promoting mutual understanding and cultural and human exchanges.

Unlike past regional initiatives that were limited to the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asian issues or economic and trade cooperation, this plan aims to strengthen strategic cooperation across a broad range of fields including security, technological cooperation, and cultural sharing. The Presidential Office emphasized in a press release that "this will strengthen the rules-based regional order and contribute to securing our national interests."

The strategy positions freedom, the rule of law, and human rights as core elements, aligning with the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy while also aiming to build cooperative relations with China, the U.S.'s competitor.

Director Kim explained, "The Indo-Pacific strategy's cooperation targets include the U.S., Japan, China, Canada, Mongolia, Southeast Asia, ASEAN, South Asia, Oceania, the Indian Ocean littoral, and Africa. We will seek tailored cooperative relationships by region," adding, "We will also strengthen cooperation with Europe and Latin America, which are expanding their engagement in the Indo-Pacific region."

A senior official from the Presidential Office responded to questions about whether the strategy intends to contain China by stating, "Refusing cooperation with China, our neighbor with whom we cannot move away, is quite far from reality," and "One of the key principles of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's Indo-Pacific strategy is inclusiveness. It is far from excluding or containing any specific country."

The official also highlighted that, unlike the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy, South Korea's Indo-Pacific strategy report emphasizes cooperation among South Korea, China, and Japan, including the trilateral summit.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.