War in South America, China Opens Its Door: What Is Korea's Survival Strategy in the 2026 New Cold War? | Kim Joon-hyung, National Assembly Member of the Rebuilding Korea Party

Summary

Kim Joon-hyung, a National Assembly member from the Rebuilding Korea Party, argues that the US intervention in Venezuela and pressure over Greenland reflect a more unilateral, Monroe-Doctrine-style US foreign policy and accelerate the perception of US hegemonic decline. He sees the episode as part of a new power-politics era in which Russia may gain in Ukraine, China is courted in the Americas, and Korea must pursue strategic autonomy rather than balancing or full alignment. Market-relevant implications include India benefiting from discounted Russian crude, a gradual China opening for Korean content and services, and a potential Korea-China railway link through North Korea that could benefit Korean logistics.

• Kim Joon-hyung discusses Trump's Venezuela intervention as a unilateral Monroe Doctrine revival.
• He argues US overreach signals weakness and accelerates a jungle-like power order.
• He expects Russia to gain leverage in Ukraine and China to prioritize Asia.
• Korea is advised to pursue strategic autonomy and avoid full alignment with either the US or China.
• China's thaw with Korea could gradually open Korean content, cultural exchanges, and services.
• India is cited as a beneficiary of discounted Russian crude purchases and refining.
• A possible Korea-China rail link through North Korea is framed as a long-term logistics upside.
• North Korea is seen as more likely to keep its nuclear weapons and seek better US ties.