“South Korea should no longer be confined to the Korean Peninsula but rise to the challenge of being what I have described as a ‘global pivotal state’, one that advances freedom, peace, and prosperity through liberal democratic values and substantial cooperation.”

This was the foreign policy vision put forth by then-presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol in February 2022. With South Korea now joining the UN Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member for the 2024–25 term, President Yoon has

For the first time since the start of the pandemic, North Korea last week welcomed foreign visitors to Pyongyang, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement, an occasion that the North sees as a victory against “imperialist” forces, particularly the United States.

Although Kim Jong-un invited delegations from China and Russia, particularly noteworthy was Moscow’s decision to send Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. Such a high-level official highlighted interest in exte

A “Global Pivotal State Contributing to Freedom, Peace, and Prosperity”. This is how the South Korean National Security Strategy published last week describes the country – although, if the Yoon Suk-yeol administration aspires for South Korea to be perceived this way, Seoul will need to reassess its diplomatic approach to live up to the rhetoric.

According to the NSS document, the three main objectives include enhancing the safety of South Korean citizens, establishing peace on the peninsula, a

North Korean weapons tests are nothing new. Pyongyang has been conducting missile tests for years, even holding large annual parades to show off its arsenal. However, things are changing at a rapid pace, with North Korea’s weapons technology and capabilities posing an increasing threat to regional and global peace. With diplomacy at a stalemate, the stakes are higher than ever to find a way back to the negotiating table before it’s too late.

What has changed is the way North Korea has chosen to