Foreign policy of the Yoon Suk Yeol government
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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held the South Korea-Africa Summit and the Korea-Pacific Islands Summit to strengthen economic cooperation with these regions. The Indo-Pacific Strategy to strengthen solidarity with Indo-Pacific countries was also announced in the first year of his administration.[1]
In 2023, when he visited Ukraine after the NATO Summit, the Framework Agreement on the External Economic Development Cooperation Fund was signed between the two countries. Additionally, an additional financial support package of $150 million was also announced.[2]
Appointments
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Cho Tae-yul, who was nominated as Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2023, has worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1979, serving as Ambassador to the United Nations, Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador to Spain.
Asia
[edit]East Asia
[edit]China, Taiwan, and the South China Sea
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In March 2023, Yoon called tensions between China and Taiwan a global problem and described the recent heightened tensions as "attempts to change the status quo by force." In response, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong expressed his displeasure by telling the South Korean ambassador to make “solemn representation” China also expressed “strong dissatisfaction” with Yoon's remarks, calling them “totally unacceptable.”[3]
Before his state visit to the UK in November 2023, President Yoon pointed out the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and rules-based maritime order in the South China Sea.[4]
Japan
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In March 2024, President Yoon said that South Korea and Japan are partners pursuing world peace and prosperity moving toward a new future.[5]
South Asia
[edit]India
[edit]At a bilateral meeting held at the 2023 G20 New Delhi summit in September 2023, Yoon and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed that the two countries would strengthen defense and space cooperation to strengthen strategic relations in the Indo-Pacific region.[6]
In December 2023, Yoon said on X that he hopes to further strengthen the special strategic partnership with India on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with India, and that he looks forward to working with Prime Minister Modi.[7]
Southeast Asia
[edit]Philippines
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In November 2022, Yoon held a summit with Philippine President Bongbong Marcos and the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as nuclear energy, infrastructure, and national defense. Yoon asked Marcos to provide support for South Korean companies to participate in various infrastructure projects being planned in the Philippines.[8]
In September 2023, the South Korea-Philippines Free Trade Agreement was signed in Jakarta, Indonesia. As a result, the 5% tariff imposed on South Korean automobiles will be abolished as soon as the FTA takes effect, and the up to 30% tariff imposed on automobile parts will be abolished within 5 years.[9]
In March 2024, the Yoon administration criticized China's use of water cannons against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.[10]
In October 2024, Yoon paid a two-day state visit to the Philippines at the invitation of President Marcos in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The two leaders agreed to upgrade their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.[11] They also agreed to increase cooperation between their coast guards "in order to establish a rules-based maritime order and for the freedom of navigation and overflight pursuant to the principles of international law in the South China Sea".[10]
Central Asia
[edit]From July 10 to 16, 2024, Yoon visited Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. It was part of diplomatic efforts to strengthen economic ties with resource-rich countries amid uncertainty in global supply chains. Yoon introduced the K-Silk Road initiative, which focuses on creating a new cooperation model by linking South Korea's innovative capabilities with Central Asia's abundant resources and development potential.[12]
Europe
[edit]France
[edit]In November 2023, Yoon had breakfast and had a summit meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace. The two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation on advanced technology and climate change issues. Strengthening cooperation in the development of new and renewable energy, including future high-tech industries, climate change, coal phase-out, and energy transition, was heavily discussed.[13]
United Kingdom
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In November 2023, Yoon made a state visit to the United Kingdom to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and the UK. In his speech to both houses of Parliament, Yoon emphasized the importance of comprehensive relations between the two countries. He said both countries face geopolitical risks, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict.[14]
"Together, we will build a free and open international order. Together, we will cultivate sustainable growth and prosperity for all of humanity."
— Yoon Suk Yeol
Denmark
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In September 2023, Yoon mentioned strengthening green growth cooperation between the two countries during a meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Frederiksen called for expanded cooperation to include areas such as offshore wind, eco-friendly shipping, sustainable agriculture, and even quantum technologies.[15]
Ukraine
[edit]In 2023, when Yoon visited Ukraine after the 2023 NATO Summit, the Framework Agreement on the External Economic Development Cooperation Fund was signed between the two countries. Additionally, an additional financial support package of $150 million was also announced.[16]
In July 2024, at the 2024 NATO Summit, South Korea announced plans to double its NATO trust fund contribution to Ukraine to $24 million in 2025.[17]
Americas
[edit]United States
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The Yoon administration expanded the Korea-United States alliance to technology and supply chain cooperation as strategic competition between the US and China intensified. Yoon visited the United States four times in 2023, including a state visit to the United States in April 2023, the US-South Korea-Japan summit at Camp David in August 2023, the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September, and the APEC Summit in San Francisco in November.[18]
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In April 2023, Yoon visited the Goddard Space Flight Center with U.S. Vice President, Kamala Harris, and agreed to work to strengthen the space alliance between South Korea and the United States. “We renew our commitment to strengthen our cooperation in the next frontier of our expanding alliance, and of course that is space,” Harris said at a joint news conference with Yoon.[19]
Canada
[edit]In May 2023, Yoon showed his will to strengthen cooperation with Canada, saying that there is great potential for economic cooperation between South Korea and Canada in the fields of clean energy and future industries including semiconductors, batteries, and artificial intelligence.[20]
In 2023, the two countries began their inaugural high-level economic security dialogue.[21]
Africa
[edit]Yoon said at the Korea-Africa Business Summit that South Korea will build important mineral partnerships with major African countries to develop the continent's resources in a mutually beneficial way. In addition, the Korea-Africa Summit promoted Korea-Africa relations by adopting a joint declaration on economic cooperation and agreeing to start a ministerial-level mineral dialogue.[22]
"We [South Korea and Africa] hope to expand mutually beneficial resource cooperation by establishing the Critical Minerals Partnership with major African countries."
— President Yoon’s keynote speech at the Korea-Africa Business Summit
NATO
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Yoon has been attending North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit meetings since his inauguration. South Korea is one of NATO global partners.[23] The NATO summits that President Yoon attended are as follows:
| Year | Country | Host leader |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 |  Spain
|
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez |
| 2023 |  Lithuania
|
President Gitanas Nausėda |
| 2024 |  United States
|
President Joe Biden |
See also
[edit]- Yoon Suk Yeol
- Indo-Pacific Strategy of South Korea
- List of international presidential trips made by Yoon Suk Yeol
- International relations since 1989
References
[edit]- ^ "South Korea eyes global reach with new Indo-Pacific strategy". The Korea Herald. December 28, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ "Yoon promises package of security, humanitarian, reconstruction aid for Ukraine". Yonhap News. July 15, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ "China lodges complaint over S. Korean president's Taiwan remarks". The Korea Times. April 23, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ "Yoon's mention of Taiwan Strait, South China Sea intended to stress importance of rules-based order: Seoul official". The Korea Times. November 22, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ "Yoon says S. Korea, Japan are partners as they overcome 'painful past'". Yonhap News Agency. March 1, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ "Yoon, Modi agree to boost cooperation in defense, space". Yonhap News Agency. September 10, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ "Yoon voices hopes to strengthen special strategic partnership with India". Yonhap News Agency. December 10, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ "Yoon, Philippine president discuss cooperation in nuclear power". The Korea Times. November 22, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ "Yoon attends S. Korea-Philippines FTA signing ceremony". Yonhap News Agency. September 7, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ a b "Philippines, South Korea agree to deepen maritime cooperation". Agence France-Presse. October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 12, 2024 – via Voice of America.
- ^ Seo Ji-eun (October 7, 2024). "Korea, Philippines form 'strategic partnership' during Yoon's state visit". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "(News Focus) Yoon focuses on critical minerals during Central Asia trip". Yonhap News Agency. June 15, 2024.
- ^ "Yoon, French president agree to strengthen cooperation in advanced technology". Yonhap News Agency. November 24, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ "'Korea-UK friendship to turn challenges into opportunities,' Yoon says in parliamentary address". The Korea Times. November 22, 2023.
- ^ "Yoon holds talks with Czech, Danish counterparts before UN General Assembly". Korea JoongAng Daily. September 19, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ "Yoon promises package of security, humanitarian, reconstruction aid for Ukraine". Yonhap News. July 15, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ "S. Korea pledges $24 mln for NATO's assistant package for Ukraine". Yonhap News Agency. July 12, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ "Yoon makes state visit to the United States, croons 'American Pie' [REWIND 2023]". Korea JoongAng Daily. December 25, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ "Yoon, Harris agree to strengthen 'space alliance' in visit to NASA center". Korea JoongAng Daily. April 26, 2023.
- ^ "Yoon, Trudeau agree to deepen partnership in critical minerals, youth exchanges". Korea JoongAng Daily. May 17, 2023.
- ^ "Korea, Canada to hold inaugural high-level economic security dialogue next week". The Korea Times. May 11, 2023.
- ^ "Yoon pledges to enhance critical mineral partnership with Africa". Yonhap News Agency. June 5, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ "Yoon to hold over 10 bilateral meetings on sidelines of NATO summit". Yonhap News Agency. July 9, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.