[E-Daily Reporter Oh Hee-na ] “As the international order reverts to great-power politics dominated by the ‘logic of power,’ securing ‘strategic autonomy’—which integrates security, industry, supply chains, and technological supremacy—has emerged as a key challenge for national survival.”

John Hamre, Honorary Chairman and an expert on U.S. foreign policy, national security, and defense budgets who has led the world-renowned think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) for the past 26 years, made these remarks, stating that South Korea must write a new script for survival as a global player.

The 17th E-Daily Strategic Forum will be held over two days, from June 16 to 17, at the Dynasty Hall of the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, under the theme “The Age of Power, the Realignment of Civilization: Who Is Designing the New World?” Amid intensifying U.S.-China hegemonic competition and rising uncertainty surrounding a potential U.S.-Iran military conflict, the forum aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the major turning point facing Korean society and to identify opportunities amid the crisis.

More than 20 experts from the political, business, and academic spheres, as well as leading global scholars, will gather to seek solutions for South Korea to evolve from a nation merely adapting to change into one that shapes the direction of that change.

Chairman Hamley will deliver the keynote address on the first day, presenting South Korea’s survival strategy in the era of supply chain restructuring.
Chairman Hamley states, “The current turmoil is the result of the politics of power returning to the forefront,” adding, “While building on alliances, we need the capacity to actively reflect Korea’s strategic interests in the process of reshaping international norms and the industrial order.”

Rexon Ryu, President of The Asia Group, who will deliver the keynote address on the second day, identified “economic security” as the solution for strengthening strategic autonomy. He stated, “Supply chains are no longer merely logistics systems; they are weapons that determine a nation’s competitiveness and security,” adding, “We must strengthen strategic autonomy based on cutting-edge technology and manufacturing capabilities.” President Ryu characterized the current technological competition not as a mere trade conflict but as a “comprehensive war for hegemony.” He plans to emphasize that, in a situation where export controls, investment restrictions, and technology blockades are occurring simultaneously, a redesign of national industrial strategy is inevitable.

In the subsequent keynote address, world-renowned scholar Noreena Hertz, Professor Emerita at the University of London, is expected to offer insights on diversifying trade partners and strengthening self-reliance in key industries, noting, “In an era where even the United States treats its allies as bargaining chips, the strongest nations are those with a variety of options.” Kim Ji-yoon, a visiting professor at Yonsei University’s Institute for East-West Studies, will assess that “South Korea is currently at a critical inflection point” and recommend that “while maintaining cooperation with China, the country needs to clearly define its stance on which side it will take.”

In addition, James Kim, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, and Park Ki-soon, former Director of the Samsung Economic Research Institute in China, will take the stage together to vividly convey opportunities in the Korean market and strategies for supply chain restructuring from the perspectives of U.S. and Chinese companies. Also participating will be Professor Alan Auerbach of UC Berkeley, an authority on public finance, Professor Andrew Levin of Dartmouth College, Lee Young, President of the Korea Institute of Public Finance; National Assembly members Jo In-cheol and Park Soo-min; Kim Jin-il, member of the Bank of Korea’s Monetary Policy Committee; Park Shin-young, Director of the Asian Central Bank Research Institute; Yoo Il-ho, former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs; Jeon Young-jun, former President of the Korean Fiscal Economics Association; Cho Yun-je, former member of the Bank of Korea’s Monetary Policy Committee; and Ahn Dong-hyun, Professor at Seoul National University—will gather to explore survival strategies for navigating this era of chaos.