Securing inputs is key to Seoul’s diplomatic strategy

Significance This followed the first-ever Korea-Africa summit, where critical minerals loomed large; President Yoon Suk-yeol’s visits to three resource-rich Central Asian states; and Seoul’s subsequent pledge of a new KRW5tn (USD3.6bn) fund to strengthen critical raw materials (CRMs) supply chain resilience. Impacts Having long courted global markets and support against North Korea, South Korea's quest for CRMs will build on and deepen existing ties. If Donald Trump returns as US president, US pressure would add urgency to Seoul's push to diversify away from Chinese suppliers. State-business partnership will stay central to Seoul’s quest to secure critical minerals.