Korea's "2025 Foreign Policy White Paper" sets tone: steady toward China, confrontational toward the U.S., and conciliatory toward North Korea

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea officially released the "2025 Foreign Policy White Paper" on July 10, systematically reviewing the international situation over the past year, the government’s foreign policy orientation, and major diplomatic activities. In the foreword, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said that armed conflicts continued across multiple regions globally last year, while economic, trade, and international order systems faced unprecedented turbulence. Under this severe external environment, the "People-Powered Government," established in June last year, has prioritized national interests and pursued pragmatic diplomacy.

The white paper details progress in South Korea’s key bilateral relationships. Regarding relations with China, it specifically highlights China’s state visit to South Korea after an 11-year gap—a historic interaction that has helped restore and steadily advance Korea-China ties.

In the context of the ROK-U.S. alliance, the white paper emphasizes major consensus reached during high-level summit talks: for the first time, the United States explicitly supports South Korea’s independent development of nuclear-powered submarines and acknowledges South Korea’s right to uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing for peaceful purposes. Both sides have agreed to advance cooperation in these areas, marking a significant upgrade in security collaboration between Seoul and Washington.

On relations with Japan, the white paper identifies the resumption of "back-and-forth diplomacy" between leaders and the building of trust at the highest level as major achievements, underscoring substantial progress in improving bilateral ties.

Regarding North Korea policy, the white paper clarifies the government’s basic stance: respecting North Korea’s existing system, not pursuing absorption-based unification, and having no intention of adopting hostile actions. At the same time, it proposes expanding inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, advancing denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in phases through practical measures, aiming to end long-standing hostility and confrontation, and ushering in a new era of peaceful coexistence and shared development between South and North Korea.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870403580553228/

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