Expert Comment — East Asia Programme 2026 07 05 SSouth Korea’s defence industry has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once a net importer of almost all its major weapons systems, Korea has emerged as one of the world’s fastest growing arms exporters. In 2025, Korean defence exports reached approximately $18 billion, up from $5 billion in
Expert Comment — Asia Programme 2 June 2026 Key Findings The Bank of Korea projects GDP growth of 2.6 per cent for 2026, powered by an AI-driven semiconductor super-cycle. Semiconductor exports surged by 48 per cent year-on-year in April 2026, with total exports expected to grow by 30 per cent. Korea’s fertility rate of 0.72
South Korea’s Economic Miracle 2.0: Semiconductor Super-Cycle Meets Structural Anxiety Read More »
Introduction: The Great Pivot Under President Yoon Suk-yeol, South Korea has executed one of the most dramatic foreign policy pivots in its modern history. Rejecting the “strategic ambiguity” of the past—where Seoul tried to balance security with the US and economy with China—Yoon has adopted the “Global Pivotal State” (GPS) doctrine. This philosophy asserts that
Seoul’s Great Pivot: Why Yoon Suk-yeol is Betting Everything on the American Alliance Read More »
