The idea of cooperation among middle powers has circulated for years, often more in theory than in practice. But Moon Chung-in, a James Laney distinguished professor at Yonsei University, said the conversation is now entering a more urgent phase. Speaking in an interview with The Korea Times, the former foreign policy and national security adviser to President Moon Jae-in, said the question is no longer whether such cooperation is desirable, but whether any country is willing to take the lead. He said Korea should consider playing a more proactive role in uniting middle powers, as the global order becomes increasingly shaped by great-power rivalry and transactional diplomacy, with major powers relying on tariffs, financial pressure and security leverage to pursue their national interests. “There has to be a leader who can bring middle powers together and push a middle-power coalition forward,” Moon said. Saying that middle powers are effectively “sandwiched” between the U.S. and China, he said that this structural vulnerability is the reason why cooperation among them is no longe
Security expert urges Korea to lead middle-power coalition
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