Korea’s Survival Strategy Amid Financial, Technological, and Security Crises

[By Hee-na Oh, Edaily] As strategic competition between the U.S. and China expands beyond tariffs and investment regulations into semiconductors, energy, and global financial networks, the foundations of the free trade order are being fundamentally shaken to its core. Alliances are being realigned, and markets are increasingly divided along geopolitical lines. In this era dominated by the logic of power, Edaily provides a platform to seek Korea‘s survival strategies at the center of this historic transformation.

(Photo=Edaily DB) Edaily will host the 17th Edaily Strategic Forum from June 16 to 17 at the Dynasty Hall of the Shilla Hotel in Seoul, under the theme "The Age of Power, the Realignment of Civilization: Who Designs the New World?" Pictured from left are the keynote speakers: John Hamre, President of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS); Rexon Ryu, President of The Asia Group; and Noreena Hertz, Honorary Professor at University College London (UCL).

Edaily will host the 17th Edaily Strategy Forum on June 16-17 at the Dynasty Hall of The Shilla Hotel in Seoul. Under the theme: “The Age of Power, the Realignment of Civilization: Who Designs the New World?”, the forum will provide a multidimensional diagnosis of the restructuring of the global order, driven by intensifying U.S.-China rivalry, supply chain fragmentation, and the spread of nationalist economic policies, while identifying both the structural risks and emerging opportunities facing Korean society.

The event will open with a keynote address by John Hamre, President of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), widely regarded as one of the world’s premier think tanks. Dr. Hamre will analyze how competition among major powers is expanding beyond traditional security into the realms of finance and technological supremacy. Furthermore, he is expected to outline a roadmap for securing “strategic autonomy” that middle powers such as Korea must secure amid mounting geopolitical pressure.

The second day of the forum will feature an in-depth discussion on the “Era of Self-Reliance.” Rexon Ryu, President of The Asia Group and former Director for Nonproliferation at the U.S. National Security Council (NSC), will diagnose the evolving international landscape characterized by the “Donroe Doctrine”, a term comparing President Trump‘s foreign policy approach to the 1823 Monroe Doctrine. He is expected to present a blueprint for defense strategies that integrate technological and industrial foundations.

Furthermore, Noreena Hertz, Honorary Professor at University College London (UCL) and author of the bestseller “The Lonely Century,” will analyze the economic and social fractures caused by deglobalization and deepening polarization. She will also propose new frameworks for survival for nations and corporations operating in a increasingly fragmented world. Following her presentation, she will engage in a dialogue with Ji-yoon Kim, Professor at Yonsei University’s East-West Center, to discuss policy responses.

Sessions focusing on global financial flows, “bloodstream” of the global economy, are also expected to draw a major highlight. Thorsten Beck, Professor at the European University Institute, and Kwanho Shin, President of the Korea Money and Finance Association, will diagnose the structural shifts being imposed on financial systems by geopolitical rivalry and discuss the requirements for “productive finance” in an age of uncertainty. In particular, James Kim, Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM), and Kisoon Park, Professor at Sungkyunkwan University‘s Graduate School of China and former head of the Samsung Economic Research Institute China Office, will share the stage to discuss Korean market opportunities and supply chain realignment from the viewpoints of U.S. and Chinese enterprises.

The afternoon sessions will concentrate on the core pillars of policy response: fiscal and monetary strategies. Alan Auerbach, Professor at the UC Berkeley and a leading authority in public finance, along with Young Lee, President of the Korea Institute of Public Finance, will present sustainable taxation and fiscal strategies for an era of uncertainty. Under the moderation of former Deputy Prime Minister Il-ho Yoo, Do-geol Ahn, National Assembly member of the Democratic Party of Korea and Young-jun Jeon, former President of Korean Association of Public Finance, join the discussion to evaluate the practical feasibility of policy measures.

In the monetary policy session, Yoon Je Cho, former member of the Bank of Korea’s Monetary Policy Board, will moderate discussions on the evolving role of central banks. Following presentations by Andrew Levin, Professor at Dartmouth College, and Jin-il Kim, Professor at Korea University. a panel including National Assembly member Rep. Soo-min Park of the People Power Party, Dong-hyun Ahn of Seoul National University, and Cynyoung Park, Director of the SEACEN Centre, will join the discussion to explore growth-oriented monetary and financial policy strategies suited for this uncertain era.

Now in its 17th year, the Edaily Strategic Forum has consistently brought together global leaders and scholars to offer roadmaps for the world economy and Korea‘s strategic responses. An Edaily Strategy Forum official stated, “This year’s forum will go beyond simply diagnosing crises and will instead present realistic and actionable strategies for Korea to choose amidst the turbulent waves of hegemonic competition and global realignment.”

(Photo=Edaily DB)