Washington: South Korea and the United States convened a joint forum this week to explore opportunities for expanding strategic cooperation with countries in the Global South, as announced by Seoul's foreign ministry on Friday. The event, named the 2026 Korea-U.S. Public Diplomacy Forum, was held at Georgetown University in Washington on Thursday and focused on the theme "The New International Order and the Global South: Expanding Horizons for Korea-U.S. Strategic Cooperation."

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Global South encompasses developing and emerging economies across regions such as Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. The forum provided a platform for participants from both South Korea and the United States to discuss changes in the geopolitical and economic security landscapes within these regions, as well as strategies to enhance joint public diplomacy efforts.

Yoon Chu-sok, the deputy chief of mission at the South Korean Embassy in Washington, emphasized the growing importance of the Global South, citing its large population, economic potential, and wealth of critical minerals and resources. In a congratulatory message, he noted the significance of expanding public diplomacy initiatives.

"We will continue to identify programs and events spanning various regions and sectors to further expand the horizons of our public diplomacy," the ministry stated in a release, underscoring its commitment to fostering greater cooperation with the Global South.