South Korea South Korea Emerges as a G8-Tier Pivotal State, Blending Soft Power and Hard Power on the World Stage

UNJournal Lee Sung Jun | The concept introduced by international relations scholar Joseph Nye has become one of the defining frameworks for understanding South Korea's rising global standing. Just as the end of the Cold War was shaped not by military force alone but by the spread of values, culture, and information, South Korea in the 21st century is building a new form of national influence — one grounded in culture, technology, and industrial competitiveness. "Soft power is the ability to get what you want through attraction rather than coercion or payment," In 2026, South Korea is no longer

• Lee Sung Jun 기자
• 2026-06-25 11:27