This year, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited South Korea for talks with President Lee Jae-myung. The leaders of the three largest economies in the European Union have all come to South Korea within a year. The frequent visits by these European leaders highlight South Korea's rising status in the international community and reflect the urgent realities facing Europe.
South Korea possesses a robust economic foundation with global competitiveness in key industries such as semiconductors, automobiles, and shipbuilding. The country has also demonstrated political stability and a functioning democracy, even amid political crises. Such a combination of economic strength, technological prowess, and political stability is rare on the global stage. For Europe, South Korea represents a strategic partner based on shared democratic values, particularly in supply chain security, defense, and advanced technology.
However, the European interest in South Korea should not be viewed solely as a reflection of South Korea's rising status. It also indicates the severity of the multifaceted crises Europe is facing. The war in Ukraine has severed ties with Russia, leading to a loss of affordable energy sources, which directly impacts manufacturing competitiveness. Additionally, the ongoing conflict in Iran has introduced new risks related to energy supply from the Middle East.
The security situation is equally challenging. Since the onset of the Ukraine war, security threats from Russia have increased, while the traditional security umbrella provided by the United States has shifted, with the Trump administration demanding higher defense spending from Europe. Furthermore, the Trump administration intensified tariff pressures, putting Europe in a difficult position. China has also evolved from being a supplier of inexpensive goods and a market for European products to becoming a competitor, leading to trade tensions.
Europe's vulnerabilities have been laid bare, as it has outsourced energy to Russia, security to the U.S., hardware supply chains to China, and digital technology to the U.S. Recent protests in France exemplify this situation. The international division of labor, optimized for efficiency and cost reduction during the era of globalization, has become a liability amid rising geopolitical conflicts and wars. Dependence on specific countries may seem rational during stable times, but it transforms into a structural risk threatening national economies and security when external conditions change abruptly.
Europe's crisis offers important lessons for South Korea, which shares many similarities with Europe. South Korea relies heavily on foreign sources for a significant portion of its energy imports and depends on its alliance with the U.S. for security. Key industries such as semiconductors and batteries are directly affected by the technological and trade conflicts between the U.S. and China. The challenges faced by Europe could easily become a reality for South Korea as well.
Strengthening alliances and cooperation is crucial. However, such cooperation should not lead to dependency, as dependence can become a weakness. Therefore, South Korea must diversify its energy sources and expand its industrial competitiveness beyond semiconductors while continuously enhancing its capabilities in defense and future strategic industries like artificial intelligence (AI).
The recent visits by major European leaders reaffirm South Korea's elevated status. It is now time to reflect on whether South Korea possesses the strategic autonomy that matches its standing. The country must evolve from one that relies on external assistance to one that can withstand uncertainties in the international community.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.