Foreign Policy

Essays • Analysis

From Unfinished Wars to Technological Rivalry: East Asia's Search for Strategic Autonomy

By Seohyun Kim•January 22, 2026

The most striking aspect of President Lee Jae-myung's diplomacy is the expansion of the Freedom Edge exercise. Conducted for five days in September 2025, the exercise has drawn criticism from those who argue that South Korea continues to be drawn into the strategic agendas of great powers under the banner of pragmatic diplomacy.

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Balancing Between Giants: Nepal's Geopolitics and Lessons for South Korea

By Minji Choe•September 30, 2025

Historically, Nepal has been heavily reliant on and influenced by its southern neighbor, India. The two countries share a largely unfenced border, which has long facilitated labor migration from Nepal to India without the need for a visa regime. Nepal's experience is noteworthy because it illustrates how a small state, deeply dependent on a neighboring power, seeks to maintain strategic autonomy between the giants.

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