The Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) hosted an international seminar titled “Enhancing Economic Security: Global Cooperation, Strategic Resources, and Policy Responses” on December 4, 2025, at Lotte Hotel World in Seoul. The seminar was organized to comprehensively assess Korea’s economic security challenges amid accelerating global supply chain restructuring and intensifying competition over strategic resources, while exploring response strategies through international cooperation.

In his opening remarks, President Siwook Lee of KIEP observed that the boundaries between economics and security are rapidly dissolving as geopolitical tensions and competition for technological leadership intensify. He emphasized that Korea must strengthen its strategic economic security framework to respond effectively to these evolving conditions. In addition, President Lee expressed his hope that the seminar would serve as an important milestone in expanding international partnerships and fostering practical policy cooperation amid growing global uncertainty.

The first session, held under the theme “Korea–U.S. Cooperation in Energy and Critical Minerals,” featured expert presentations and discussions.

Paul J. Saunders, President of the Center for the National Interest (CFTNI), noted that Korea and the United States possess broad opportunities for cooperation in the areas of energy and economic security. He emphasized that realizing such cooperation will require the strengthening of institutional and industrial linkages, with due consideration given to differences in bilateral interests, policy priorities, and systems of governance.

Fabian E. Villalobos, Professor at the RAND School of Public Policy, analyzed the strengths and vulnerabilities of Korea, the United States, and Japan in the critical minerals sector. He projected that complementary trilateral cooperation could significantly reduce dependence on China in global critical minerals markets.

Sunghun Cho, Associate Research Fellow at KIEP, proposed concrete cooperation measures, including diversification of supply sources through overseas investment in critical minerals infrastructure and the establishment of an international Early Warning System (EWS) for critical minerals.

The second session, titled “Challenges and Implications of Economic Security: Trade Policy, Supply Chains, and Regional Political–Economic Relations,” continued with presentations and discussions.

Channing Arndt, Director of the Center for Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP), presented the results of a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model analysis illustrating the impact of U.S. tariff policies on global trade.

Young Gui Kim, Senior Research Fellow of KIEP, shared findings on the spillover effects of fragmentation in critical minerals supply chains. He stressed the need for proactive utilization of supply chain stabilization funds and for joint investment and policy coordination through multilateral platforms such as the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP).

Concluding the session, Kyoochul Kim, Research Fellow of the Korea Development Institute (KDI), presented a quantitative analysis of political and economic relations on the Korean Peninsula and among neighboring countries using GDELT and trade data. His analysis showed that the inter-Korean and regional situation is most strongly influenced by U.S.–North Korea relations.

- Title: Enhancing Economic Security: Global Cooperation, Strategic Resources, and Policy Responses

- Date & Time: Thursday, December 4, 2025, 10:00–15:30

- Venue: Emerald Room (3F), Lotte Hotel World (Jamsil), Seoul

- Host: Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)

- Contact: Minsoo Park, Researcher, Economic Security Team (mspark5@kiep.go.kr)