Reframing Korea–EU Strategic Cooperation: Strengthening the Liberal International Order through Enhanced Korea–Nordic Cooperation

The current 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’ increasing turn toward selective engagement have created a widening leadership vacuum.

In this regard, the need for new strategic partnerships to defend and renew the liberal international order and rules-based order has become more urgent than ever. Cooperation between South Korea and the European Union—particularly through closer engagement with the Nordic countries —offers a promising model for addressing these challenges. South Korea, a dynamic democracy shaped within the liberal order, is now well positioned to contribute to shaping global standards and practices.

The Nordic countries, meanwhile, offer long-standing expertise in advancing core liberal values such as peace, human rights, and the rule of law. Their complementary strengths, combined with focused minilateral cooperation, can generate meaningful momentum for revitalizing democratic governance, reinvigorating multilateralism, and strengthening institutional capacity in global governance. In an era of rapid transformation, this strategic partnership could serve as a vital foundation for restoring the liberal international order and shaping a more resilient and inclusive global future. 

During this webinar, Mr. Yi Jeenou, who was a Guest Researcher at ISDP’s Stockholm Korea Center in the summer of 2025, will give a presentation on his research about exploring avenues for Korea-EU Strategic Cooperation, followed by a discussion.

Mr. Jeenou Yi is the Co-founder and President of the International Division at the Korea Young Leaders Forum. He was a guest researcher at the Stockholm Korea Center of the Institute for Security & Development Policy (ISDP) for a month in 2025, where he worked on the project “Global Governance at a Crossroads: Korea–EU Strategic Partnership.” He is also a Non-Resident Fellow at the European Centre for North Korean Studies (ECNK) at the University of Vienna. Jeenou has served as a legislative intern in both the Korean National Assembly and the U.S. Congress. He graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service with a Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS). 

Moderator: Dr. Niklas Swanström, Executive Director, Institute for Security and Development Policy