THE EVOLUTION OF SOUTH KOREA'S NEW SOUTHERN POLICY (NSP-K): THE MOON AND YOON ADMINISTRATIONS

The administration of President Moon Jae-In introduced the Republic of Korea's 'New Southern Policy' (NSP-K) in 2017 to pursue a more diversified foreign policy by fostering stronger diplomatic and economic ties with Southeast Asia and India. However, the 2022 presidential election resulted in the victory of Yoon Suk-yeol and a shift in administration. President Yoon has expressed the need to deepen South Korea's engagement with ASEAN and India to reduce reliance on China and adopted a new 'Strategy for a free, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region' built on the 'Global Pivotal State' (GPS) Initiative. This article provides a brief overview and assessment of South Korea's NSP-K under the Moon administration, examines its transition under the new Yoon administration, and analyses policy implications within the larger geopolitical context, especially concerning South Korea's ability to establish an independent agenda as a middle power amid growing Sino-American tension.