'Trump 2.0 and the East Sea Rim' - Pohang Development Strategy Highlights 'East Sea Rim Cooperation'... 13th East Sea Rim International Symposium Concludes

Seeking Development Strategies for Pohang Amid Changes in the Global Trade Order
Focused Discussions on Response Strategies for Regional Industries Such as Steel and Secondary Batteries

On July 24, the city of Pohang held the 13th East Sea Rim International Symposium in the main conference room of City Hall, discussing development strategies and tasks for Pohang amid changes in the international trade order following the launch of the second Trump administration.

The 13th East Sea International Symposium. Provided by Pohang City

Hosted by the Yeongnam Ilbo, the symposium was attended by Pohang Mayor Lee Kangdeok and both domestic and international experts in diplomacy, economics, and industry. The event focused on crisis response for key regional industries such as steel and secondary batteries, as well as cooperation strategies within the East Sea Rim region.

In the keynote address, Cho Byungjae, former Chancellor of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, stated, "With the emergence of the second Trump administration, the trade environment will become even more uncertain," and emphasized, "To turn this crisis into an opportunity, we must further expand cooperation initiatives among East Sea Rim cities."

In the following presentation, Li Mindong, professor at Ocean University of China, explained that during this period of turbulent international politics, South Korea and China should seek ways to expand effective economic cooperation by building an East Sea Rim network for mutual interests such as Arctic development.

Delgermaa, professor at Dankook University's Mongolia Research Institute, stressed the importance of a strategic partnership between South Korea and Mongolia based on Mongolia's key minerals. Bae Gyuseong, research professor at Paichai University's Korea-Siberia Center, presented development strategies for Pohang in response to Trump administration policies, detailing approaches by sector such as energy, shipping routes, and minerals.

In the final presentation, Park Jaebeom, senior research fellow at POSTECH Business Research Institute, emphasized the importance of strategic responses by major regional companies such as POSCO and Ecopro as the global battery supply chain undergoes changes.

During the subsequent panel discussion, chaired by Park Nobeok, former ambassador to Russia and Ukraine, panelists including Seo Dongjoo, director of the Eurasia Policy Institute, Lee Myungchan, honorary research fellow at the Northeast Asian History Foundation, Kim Bongcheol, professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, and Kang Myungsoo, professor at Pohang University, engaged in intensive discussions on proactive responses to universal tariffs, risk assessment of regional companies regarding tariffs, and support measures for Korea and Pohang.

Mayor Lee Kangdeok stated, "Since the launch of the Trump administration, Pohang's key industries have faced difficulties due to tariff measures," and added, "We will respond strategically to strengthen Pohang's geo-economic status and role, so that the city can emerge as a central hub of the East Sea Rim economic zone."

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