In a significant policy address this week, Moon Chung-in, special advisor to former South Korean President Moon Jae-in, called for a fundamental shift in Northeast Asia's security architecture. Speaking at a Seoul think tank on January 8, 2026, the scholar emphasized the urgent need to transition from traditional alliance-based defense systems to multilateral security cooperation.
"The era of ideological confrontation must give way to pragmatic diplomacy focused on mutual respect and shared prosperity," Moon stated, advocating for what he termed "open regionalism." His proposal comes as governments across Asia grapple with evolving economic partnerships and security challenges in the new decade.
Key elements of the framework include:
Enhanced trilateral cooperation between South Korea, Japan, and the Chinese mainland
Confidence-building measures with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)
Integration of economic and security policies across Northeast Asia
Analysts note this vision aligns with growing calls for regional solutions to transnational issues like supply chain resilience and climate cooperation. However, implementation would require navigating complex historical tensions and competing strategic interests among major powers.
