South Korean President Lee Jae Myung embarked on a six-day visit to India and Vietnam aimed at strengthening strategic and economic ties with key countries in the Global South. The trip, which began Sunday in New Delhi, comes against a backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and growing uncertainties in global supply chains.

During his stay in India, Lee was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, engage with business leaders, and connect with Korean expatriates before concluding this leg of his tour. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-rak emphasized that Seoul intends to "comprehensively strengthen" its special strategic partnership with India, describing the country as a vital partner in expanding pragmatic diplomacy focused on national interests.

Experts suggest that South Korea’s outreach reflects broader regional and global dynamics. Kang Jun-young, a professor of international relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, pointed to challenges such as energy security concerns arising from conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, as well as the intensifying rivalry between the United States and China. These factors have spurred South Korea to diversify its diplomatic engagements and trade partnerships beyond traditional allies.

Economic cooperation remains a critical pillar of the visits. Seoul and New Delhi aim to fast-track negotiations to upgrade their existing partnership, emphasizing not only trade but also technology transfer and broad economic collaboration tailored to each country's specific needs. Hur Jung, an economics professor at Sogang University, highlighted the significance of India and Vietnam in global supply chains. India is central to the US-backed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, a proposed multimodal trade route expected to enhance regional connectivity and commerce. Vietnam, meanwhile, possesses some of the world’s largest reserves of rare earth elements outside China, essential for South Korea’s semiconductor and high-tech industries.

South Korea's drive to diversify rare earth supplies is seen as increasingly important amid mounting strategic competition. China, the nation’s largest trading partner, has been a dominant supplier in this sector, but Seoul is also cautious of its traditional reliance on the United States. Hur underscored that expanding supply sources aligns with South Korea’s broader economic security strategy.

Investment ties with Vietnam are already robust, with accumulated South Korean investment surpassing $90 billion, largely propelled by major technology companies such as Samsung and LG. The presence of top executives from South Korea’s four largest conglomerates and leading financial institutions in Lee’s delegation signals a decisive economic focus for the trip.

Overall, the visit marks an effort by South Korea to recalibrate its international partnerships, bolstering cooperation with India and Vietnam to better navigate a complex global landscape marked by geopolitical uncertainty and shifting economic realities.