A succession of geopolitical crises—including the Russia–Ukraine war, the Israel–Hamas conflict, and escalating tensions between the United States and Iran—has begun to destabilize the international order that remained relatively stable in the post–Cold War era.
Long-dormant geopolitical rivalries are reemerging, and states are responding to heightened security uncertainty by increasing defense expenditures and strengthening military capabilities. These developments are driving a surge in global demand for defense assets and elevating the defense industry as a central pillar of South Korea’s diplomatic strategy.
In particular, these shifts in the international environment merit close attention, as they present an opportunity to expand the scope of South Korean diplomacy beyond the mere promotion of defense exports. Unlike conventional industrial cooperation, defense cooperation inherently facilitates the development of long-term military and security partnerships.
The acquisition of weapons systems requires sustained collaboration in areas such as training, maintenance, and capability upgrades, thereby fostering enduring strategic relationships between partner states. Accordingly, defense cooperation should be understood not simply as a transactional export activity, but as a critical instrument for expanding diplomatic influence.
Since the onset of the Russia–Ukraine war, European countries have increased their defense budgets and accelerated military modernization efforts. In this context, the competitiveness of South Korean defense products is well established in the international market. South Korea’s defense industry combines high performance with cost efficiency and maintains a manufacturing base capable of meeting demanding delivery schedules. Notably, its ability to supply large volumes within short timeframes constitutes a significant competitive advantage in the global defense market.
This competitiveness is once again drawing heightened attention amid rising instability in the Middle East, particularly in the context of recent US–Iran tensions. As the threat of missile and drone attacks intensifies, demand for missile defense systems to protect energy infrastructure and other critical facilities is increasing, leading to growing interest in South Korea’s air and missile defense capabilities. In addition, the need to replenish air defense assets depleted during recent conflicts is expected to further drive demand in the near to medium term.
At the same time, as the concept of economic security has gained prominence, the scope of defense cooperation has expanded beyond traditional weapons systems. Whereas such cooperation historically centered on platforms such as tanks, fighter aircraft, and self-propelled artillery, it is now increasingly extending into sectors including shipbuilding, energy, and advanced technologies.
For example, icebreakers supporting Arctic shipping routes, LNG carriers facilitating energy transport, and military support vessels represent emerging areas of defense cooperation that integrate security and economic interests. These trends underscore the evolution of defense cooperation into a domain closely linked to a nation’s broader strategic industries.
South Korea, in particular, possesses competitive strengths across a range of industrial sectors, including shipbuilding, nuclear energy, semiconductors, hydrogen, and construction. When integrated with defense cooperation, these capabilities can generate substantial synergies. Combining defense cooperation with energy and infrastructure projects offers a strategic advantage in expanding partnerships with counterpart countries and establishing durable, long-term frameworks for cooperation.
Defense cooperation also plays a critical role in South Korea’s economic security. As an export-driven economy with a high dependence on imported energy, South Korea is particularly vulnerable to disruptions in energy supply. In this context, strategies that integrate defense and energy cooperation can contribute meaningfully to strengthening economic resilience.
In particular, the parallel pursuit of defense and energy cooperation with Middle Eastern countries can enhance mutual interdependence and support the development of stable, long-term partnerships.
Given these dynamics, the South Korean government should leverage defense cooperation as a core instrument of its diplomatic strategy. By expanding both economic and security cooperation with a diverse set of partner countries through defense collaboration, South Korea can position itself as a strategically significant actor in the international system.
Countries that develop cooperative relationships with South Korea are likely to recognize that its stability and security are directly linked to their own interests, thereby reinforcing its diplomatic standing.
However, realizing these opportunities will require robust diplomatic support. Defense cooperation extends beyond commercial transactions and depends heavily on intergovernmental coordination, with political trust and strong diplomatic relations playing particularly critical roles. Accordingly, a more systematic approach to defense diplomacy is needed—one that effectively leverages overseas diplomatic missions and established channels.
Moreover, because defense cooperation inherently involves long-term commitments, it should be pursued within a strategic and forward-looking framework. Defense diplomacy should be oriented toward the establishment of enduring partnerships, with particular emphasis on integrating defense cooperation with industrial and energy collaboration.
In sum, ongoing transformations in the international order present a significant opportunity for South Korea to expand its diplomatic influence through defense cooperation. Such efforts can contribute not only to strengthening industrial competitiveness but also to enhancing diplomatic reach.
By broadening both economic and security cooperation with a diverse range of partners, South Korea can lay the foundation to emerge as both a technological leader and a diplomatic powerhouse.
Accordingly, defense industry cooperation should be recognized as a strategic opportunity to expand the horizons of South Korean diplomacy. By advancing a diplomatic strategy centered on defense cooperation in response to shifting global dynamics, South Korea can establish itself as a key partner in international security cooperation.
The present moment represents a critical inflection point for South Korea to advance as a diplomatic powerhouse through the effective use of defense diplomacy.
The author is professor at Seoul School of Integrated Science and Technology)
