Foreign Affairs Outlook for 2021

Prospect of Situations of the Middle East in 2021 and Korea-Middle East Relations

Dr. JUNG Sang Ryul

HK Professor, Institute of Middle Eastern Affairs, Myongji University

skyblue8731@hanmail.net

English Abstract

In order to predict the political landscape of the Middle East in 2021 and enhance relations between South Korea and the Middle East, several factors should be considered for a comprehensive and integrated understanding of the Middle East: the situation in the Middle East before 2021, the impact of the U.S. policy on Middle Eastern affairs, changes in the Middle East’s international relations from a structural aspect, and the domestic political changes in the Middle East states. Small but big changes are expected to occur in the Middle East in 2021. The world is becoming more and more dependent on each other due to the formation and intensification of “global value chain,” and the “regional value chain” between South Korea and Middle East states is also expanding and strengthening. South Korea should develop is relations with Middle Eastern states through “customized diplomacy,” “customized relations” and “strategic win-win relations” via analysis and understanding of the Middle East affairs.