Taiwan is deepening its relationship with South Korea through a new diplomatic approach centered on shared democratic values and economic cooperation. The Taipei Mission in Korea marked Taiwan’s 114th National Day by emphasizing “integrated diplomacy,” a strategy launched under President Lai Ching-te to enhance global partnerships rooted in democracy and innovation.
Gow-wei Chiou, representative of the Taipei Mission in Korea, highlighted Taiwan’s plan to strengthen its role in three key areas — the democratic values chain, the Indo-Pacific’s first island chain, and the “non-red” supply chain. He underscored that closer cooperation with South Korea would contribute to regional stability and global economic resilience, stating, “The safer Taiwan is, the safer the world becomes.”
Bilateral trade between Taiwan and South Korea reached $64.5 billion in 2024, with Korea ranking as Taiwan’s fourth-largest trading partner. Chiou noted that the two nations’ collaboration in semiconductor production, particularly between SK hynix and TSMC, forms part of a wider regional tech alliance that also includes Japan.
Chiou reaffirmed that Taiwan will continue pursuing value-based diplomacy and President Lai’s Four-Pillar Peace Action Plan to build a secure and democratic Indo-Pacific region.
