Institute for Future Strategy – Global Korea Cluster 2023 Annual Report
“Blueprint for Great Power Diplomacy: Korea’s Concentric Circles Strategy”
This research explores the new national strategy that Korea must pursue amid the ongoing transformation of the global order. As Korea’s national power grows, it must shift from a peripheral state to a central state, establishing a new diplomatic identity and corresponding strategy. Korea should aspire to become an “open network great power”—a nation that exercises influence through interconnected networks of economy, technology, and diplomacy rather than through traditional territorial might.
Building on this identity, Korea faces the challenge of sustaining industrial competitiveness at a time when its manufacturing base is being rapidly caught up by emerging economies. It must strengthen its industrial and technological innovation capacity to reinforce its position in key industries such as semiconductors, automobiles, batteries, displays, and steel. Particularly, the AI and autonomous systems industries will become increasingly crucial—not only for addressing labour shortages caused by low fertility and ageing populations, but also for boosting industrial productivity across sectors.
For Korea to take its next leap forward as a capital-innovation state, it must develop globally competitive economic and social institutions and align them with coherent policy frameworks. Furthermore, as an open network nation, Korea’s prosperity depends on safeguarding maritime trade routes, since naval power serves as the backbone of its global economic network. In this regard, Korea’s Indo-Pacific maritime security strategy should evolve toward both a comprehensive alliance with the United States and the creation of a multilateral maritime security cooperation framework.
As Korea moves toward the vision of an open network great power, it must leverage its growing national capacity and strategic acumen to exercise more proactive diplomatic influence. Based on this new identity, Korea should adopt a “concentric multilateralism” strategy—building layered partnerships that radiate outward from core alliances to broader coalitions. Guided by a philosophy of “practical idealism,” Korea must craft flexible and pragmatic policies that respond effectively to global changes.
In particular, trilateral cooperation among Korea, the United States, and the European Union could serve as a realistic and forward-looking framework for joint action. Through such multilateral engagement, Korea can position itself as a global hub for digital industries, contributing to the transition toward a digital and low-carbon economy, while actively participating in new multilateral platforms that shape the emerging global economic order.
Keywords:
Open network great power, concentric multilateralism, AI and autonomous systems, Indo-Pacific strategy, maritime security, Korea–U.S.–EU trilateral cooperation, digital and low-carbon economy, multilateral negotiation platforms