Strengthening the Liberal International Order through Enhanced Korea–Nordic Cooperation
Jeenou Yi
The global governance landscape is at a critical turning point. The foundations of the liberal international order—such as the multilateral trading system and shared norms and rules—are weakening, while the spread of authoritarianism, deepening geopolitical instability, and the United States’ shift toward selective engagement have created a widening leadership vacuum. In this regard, the need for new strategic partnerships to defend and renew the liberal, rules-based order has become more urgent than ever. Strategic cooperation between South Korea and the European Union—particularly through closer engagement with the Nordic countries—offers a promising model for addressing these challenges. As a dynamic democracy shaped by the liberal order, South Korea is well positioned to help shape global standards and practices. The Nordic countries, meanwhile, bring long-standing expertise in advancing core liberal values such as peace, human rights, and the rule of law. This issue brief discusses how their complementary strengths, combined with targeted minilateral cooperation, can generate meaningful momentum for revitalizing democratic governance, reinvigorating multilateralism, and strengthening institutional capacity in global governance.
Related Publications
-
Exploring Work-Life Balance Through a Gender Lens – Insights from the Nordics and South Korea
On February 19, ISDP’s Korea Centre co-hosted a workshop on work-life balance in the Nordics and South Korea through a gender lens with the Korea Women’s Development Institute (KWDI). The […]
-
Report: The Underrepresentation of Women in South Korean Politics – How to Empower Women’s Participation?
Contextual Background The Stockholm Korea Center of the Institute for Security and Development Policy and the Korea Young Leaders Forum held a one-hour webinar commemorating the International Day for Women, […]
-
US Troop Movements in Korea are not a Challenge — They’re an Opportunity
The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. Department of Defense is reviewing the possible redeployment of approximately 4,500 American troops currently stationed in South Korea. Predictably, the headline sparked […]
-
Authoritarian Echoes, Democratic Victories: Bruce Cumings on Korean Democracy; An Interview with Bruce Cumings
Bruce Cumings is Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago, where he held the Gustavus F. and Ann M. Swift Distinguished Service Professorship of History from 1987 until his retirement […]
-
Will South Korea Distance Itself from the US Under President Lee?
South Korea has recently undergone a significant power transition, with Lee Jae-myung taking office as President, signaling a potential recalibration of its foreign policy. This change in leadership could usher in a […]