“Korea Must Become a Nation that Designs the New World” [ESF2026]

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“Korea Must Become a Nation that Designs the New World” [ESF2026]

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Day 2 of the 17th Edaily Strategy Forum

Keynote Speech by Rexon Ryu, President of The Asia Group

“Self-Reliance Means the Strength to Stand on One‘s Own, Not Isolation”

[Edaily By Reporter Ha-Yeon Shin and Min-Ji Son] “Korea Should Become a Nation helps Design the New World, Not a Country sSaped by Others.”

Rexon Ryu, President of The Asia Group (TAG) and former Non-Proliferation Director at the U.S. National Security Council (NSC), made the remarks during his keynote speech at the 17th Edaily Strategy Forum held on June 17 at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul.

The 17th Edaily Strategy Forum was held on the 17th at The Shilla Seoul in Jung-gu, Seoul under the theme “The Age of Power, Recasting Civilization : Who Designs the New World??” Rexon Ryu, President of The Asia Group (TAG), delivers a keynote speech on “Security and Defense Strategy in the Era of Self-Reliance.” (Photo = Jin-hwan Noh, Edaily Reporter )

President Ryu said it was not appropriate to focus only on predicting what kind of America would emerge in the future. “Currently, capitals around the world, including Seoul, are spending a great deal of time and effort trying to predict what kind of America will emerge in the future,” he said. “I think that is the wrong question.”

He expanded on this, stating, “This is because it is an issue that neither Korea nor any other ally can actually control or determine that outcome. The more important question is how a nation should design its own future.” He also said, “No matter what kind of America emerges, we must focus on building a prosperous nation,” and added that “this is the essential meaning of self-reliance.”

He also pointed out the risk of Korea being excluded from negotiations among major powers. “In the past, Korea’s main concern was the risk of being abandoned by its allies,” he said. “Today, we should be more concerned about becoming a bargaining chip in negotiations between great powers at tables where Korea is not present.”

As a counterstrategy, he emphasized the importance of making Korea indispensable to global strategic systems and supply chains. “It is important for Korea to integrate itself into core systems and supply chains and become indispensable to its partners,” he said. “Only then can such risks shall be prevented from becoming reality.”

He drew a clear line against the idea of Korea developing its own nuclear weapons. “I agree with President Jae-myung Lee‘s assessment that Korea’s nuclear armament would be unrealistic and irresponsible,” Ryu said, adding, “This is because it could trigger a dangerous chain reaction of regional nuclear proliferation.”

Ryu emphasized, “Korea‘s strategic challenge now is to combine capability with a clear long-term vision,” adding, “If those strengths are translated into concrete strategy and accompanied by a sense of responsibility, Korea will become a country that does not merely adapt, but shapes the future.”

He concluded, “Self-reliance should not be confused with isolation. It is the power to stand on one’s own feet, while also becoming a country with which others genuinely want to partner with.”