July 14, 2015, marked the day when the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, Russia, and Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal. Under this agreement, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear weapons development and accept inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions by the international community. This diplomatic achievement was seen as a significant step toward resolving the Iran nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiation, raising hopes for reduced tensions in the Middle East.
However, these expectations did not last long. In 2018, during his first term, President Donald Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and reinstated sanctions against Iran, which in turn resumed its nuclear program. The hard-won trust between the two nations collapsed, setting the stage for potential conflict.
On July 14, 2026, the 11th anniversary of the JCPOA, President Trump announced the resumption of a maritime blockade against Iran. A date that once symbolized negotiation and compromise has now transformed into one representing blockade, sanctions, and pressure. This shift illustrates the reality that diplomatic agreements are not permanent safeguards and can be overturned depending on political circumstances.
This issue extends beyond the JCPOA. Since his re-election last year, President Trump has effectively undermined existing trade agreements, including free trade agreements (FTAs), by prioritizing a policy of reciprocal tariffs. He sends a message to the international community that any international agreement can be discarded if it does not align with U.S. interests. Major powers, including China and Russia, are increasingly showing a preference for their strategic interests over international norms.
International politics has always operated on the logic of power. However, the current international order is exhibiting a different dynamic. In the past, power supported international norms; now, there is a growing trend where power seeks to replace norms altogether. Military force and economic sanctions are emerging as primary means of problem-solving, overshadowing international law and diplomatic agreements. The treaties and institutions built over decades are now easily shaken by changes in political leadership or domestic political shifts.
These changes pose greater challenges for countries like South Korea, which are highly dependent on external relations. We have grown under the assumption that international norms will always function reliably. However, the existence of agreements and their actual enforcement are entirely different matters. As international norms become more unstable, the importance of national power to support them inevitably increases.
Ultimately, what we can rely on is our own competitiveness. By strengthening the rule of law and democracy, we can enhance trust in South Korea while securing competitiveness in advanced industries such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), shipbuilding, defense, and biotechnology. Today, technological prowess extends beyond industrial competitiveness; it encompasses diplomatic strength and security. Countries with irreplaceable technologies in the global supply chain can secure a more significant voice in the international community.
While agreements remain a crucial foundation of the international community, the era where peace and prosperity are guaranteed solely by agreements is fading. As the logic of power grows stronger, the trust of nations that uphold principles and their ability to defend themselves become increasingly vital. To survive in a changing world, we need unwavering national competitiveness rather than vague expectations of agreements.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.