SEOUL, 24 October 2025 – South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung signalled a bold shift in his country’s foreign-policy outlook, declaring that the era of passive alignment is over for so-called middle powers. In an exclusive interview with The Straits Times, Lee outlined his vision that nations like South Korea and Singapore have “new space” to exercise agency and influence in a rapidly evolving world order.
Lee described the global landscape as one marked by “high winds and rough waves”, from great-power rivalry between the U.S. and China, to fragmented multilateral institutions and emerging geoeconomic tensions. In this context, middle powers, long accustomed to reacting rather than initiating, are positioned to carve out a proactive role. “We are no longer content with being spectators,” Lee said.
Highlighting the deepening bilateral ties between Seoul and Singapore, the president said collaboration among capable mid-sized states can set practical standards for diplomacy, sustainability and economic connectivity. He pointed out that shared interests in technology, trade and regional stability give such partnerships substance beyond symbolic gestures.
Lee also addressed the need for South Korea to engage more robustly on global issues. It must balance its alliance commitments with the U.S., its economic ties to China, and its regional leadership ambitions in Northeast Asia. He emphasised that South Korea intends to amplify its voice in forums such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the broader Asia Pacific.
However, Lee acknowledged the challenges. Achieving meaningful agency for middle powers requires strategic autonomy, economic resilience and diplomatic creativity. “The world order is no longer stable; institutions are under stress. We must act, not just manage,” he said.
Significance for Asia
- South Korea’s call to action signals a departure from the traditional “balance-between-major-powers” strategy that many East Asian states have adopted. Instead, it highlights middle-power diplomacy as a conscious choice.
- For Southeast Asia, and for regional players like Singapore and Malaysia, Lee’s remarks reaffirm the potential of diversified partnerships that do not rely solely on great-power frameworks but leverage shared capabilities and regional connectivity.
- The emphasis on agency and active participation resonates with ASEAN’s own ambitions of “centrality” and relevance amid shifting geopolitical tectonics.
- Practically, this could mean increased involvement of South Korea (and its partners) in infrastructure, technology transfer, supply-chain resilience, climate leadership, and regional security dialogues, areas beyond traditional military alignments.
