The Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security (IFANS) of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy publishes the ‘International Situation Outlook’ at the end of each year to contribute to the government’s foreign policy-making process and to help the general public understand international affairs. Since 1989, the ‘International Situation Outlook’ has been based on the personal views of researchers in charge at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy and does not represent the official position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Korea National Diplomatic Academy.
The ‘2026 International Situation Outlook’ consists of four chapters: the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the situation of major countries, regional situations, and global issues and governance. Key contents include the strengthening of the North Korea-Russia alliance, the restoration of North Korea-China relations, the expansion of North Korea-China-Russia solidarity, the intensification of US-China competition, the foreign policy of the second Trump administration, China’s competition with the US, Japan’s political turmoil, and the conditions for ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
In Southeast Asia, ASEAN is expected to strengthen its approach to China due to the reduced influence of the US, and practical cooperation between Korea and ASEAN is expected to accelerate. The Middle East is expected to remain unstable and uncertain, with the conservative nature of the Netanyahu coalition government potentially leading to a return to wartime conditions. In terms of international trade and economic security, global trade is expected to shrink further.
The ‘2026 International Situation Outlook’ will be posted on the Korea National Diplomatic Academy’s website and distributed to major government agencies, universities and research institutions, and media organizations.