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Roundtable
Economic Cooperation in Northeast Asia: Navigating Geopolitical Crossroads

At a moment marked by escalating geopolitical uncertainty, leading experts from Europe, Northeast Asia, and the United States convened at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul on February 18, 2025.

The Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea and the Korea Council for Peace and Cooperation (KCPC) hosted an expert roundtable to delve into the complex challenges and promising opportunities for economic cooperation and integration in Northeast Asia. The Hanns Seidel Foundation Mongolia also contributed to the multifaceted discussion through the participation of its Country Representative in Mongolia, Felix Glenk, and the support of an additional Mongolian expert.

The debates were characterized by a profound analysis of the shifting power dynamics in the region. Specifically, the growing rapprochement between North Korea and Russia, the fragile balance in South Korea-Japan relations, and the potential impacts of the new US economic policy under President Donald Trump took center stage. While diplomatic initiatives have yielded tentative progress in recent years, the region remains shadowed by the grim prospect of a return to bloc-based confrontations and escalating geopolitical tensions.

The roundtable opened with compelling remarks from Dr. Bernhard Seliger (HSF Korea) and Dr. J.R. Kim (KCPC), followed by a captivating keynote address by Glyn Ford (Track 2 Asia). Ford painted a stark picture of the political pitfalls hindering profound economic cooperation in the region.

The first session delved deeply into the multifaceted regional perspectives on the future of Northeast Asian cooperation. Strategic initiatives for integration were rigorously examined, and various political scenarios for Northeast Asia, particularly concerning a potential new South Korean government and the diverging foreign policy approaches of the United States, were controversially debated.

The second session was dedicated to the intricate issue of the economic reintegration of the Korean Peninsula. Panelists discussed innovative pathways for gradual integration into the regional economy and illuminated the crucial role of academic exchanges in fostering dialogue. The voice of Mongolia was also heard, bringing a unique perspective to the debate. The roundtable concluded with a profound discussion on further approaches to promoting stability and economic cooperation in the region.

The roundtable exposed the complexity of Northeast Asia's economic future, while simultaneously emphasizing the necessity of relentless dialogue and enhanced cooperation. Sincere gratitude is extended to all speakers and participants for their invaluable contributions to this crucial debate.