South Korea has released its first "Indo Pacific Strategy" report, reflecting a systemic change in its foreign policy; This strategy is based on the "New South Policy" of the Moon Jae-in government, and has policy continuity; The article will compare the similarities and differences between the two, analyze the motivation, internal contradictions, and impact on China of the Yin Xiyue government in formulating the "Indo Pacific Strategy".

1、 The similarity between South Korea's "Indo Pacific Strategy" and "New Southern Policy"

Explored the connection and continuity between South Korea's "Indo Pacific Strategy" and "New Southern Policy". Although the government of Yin Xiyue did not continue to use the name "New Southern Policy", its "Indo Pacific Strategy" remained consistent with previous policies in many aspects. Firstly, both focus on ASEAN countries as their core cooperative partners, emphasizing their close relationship with ASEAN. Secondly, economic and trade cooperation is the core area of two policies aimed at reducing dependence on a single market and increasing trade volume with ASEAN. Thirdly, inclusiveness is a common principle of both policies, and the South Korean government emphasizes openness and respect for international norms in international cooperation. Finally, peace and prosperity are the common goals of the two policies, aimed at promoting regional stability and economic development through cooperation. Despite differences in specific expressions, the South Korean government's foreign policy demonstrates continuity in pursuing peace and prosperity.

2、 Differences between South Korea's "Indo Pacific Strategy" and "New Southern Policy"

An in-depth analysis of the differences between South Korea's "Indo Pacific Strategy" and "New Southern Policy" revealed the fundamental changes in the foreign policy of the Yoon Seok yeol government. The main differences include four aspects: firstly, expanding from functional cooperation to normative cooperation, emphasizing regional order based on values and rules; Secondly, the scope of cooperation has expanded from economic and trade cooperation to all-round cooperation, covering politics, military, security, society, and culture; Thirdly, the cooperation partners have expanded from ASEAN to the entire Indo Pacific region, including countries such as the United States, Japan, and China; Finally, elevating the policy of small regional cooperation to a strategic framework for large regions reflects South Korea's willingness to actively shape regional order. These changes reflect South Korea's positioning as a "global hub country" and active integration into the US led regional strategy.

3、 The main motivation for South Korea to introduce the 'Indo Pacific Strategy'

An in-depth analysis was conducted on the main motivations behind South Korea's "Indo Pacific Strategy", including promoting values diplomacy, enhancing South Korea's international status, and deepening its participation in "Indo Pacific regional" affairs. The government of Yin Xiyue emphasizes "freedom" as the core principle of diplomacy, advocates an international order based on universal values such as freedom, democracy, rule of law, and human rights, and actively participates in maintaining the Western led international order. The South Korean government positions itself as a "medium-sized power" and has shown a more proactive and comprehensive stance on the international stage, such as joining international organizations such as the OECD and G20, hosting global conferences, and speaking out at multilateral occasions such as the United Nations. In addition, South Korea's foreign policy has expanded from Northeast Asia to the Indo Pacific region, recognizing the strategic importance of the region in terms of economy, security, and its direct impact on South Korea's national interests. The government of Yoon Seok yeol proposed to build South Korea into a "global hub country", which covers major global issues in the "Indo Pacific Strategy", while the proportion of the North Korean nuclear issue is relatively small, reflecting a new paradigm of South Korea's foreign policy and its emphasis on "Indo Pacific regional" affairs.

4、 Evaluation of South Korea's' Indo Pacific Strategy '

Deeply analyzed the inherent contradictions of South Korea's "Indo Pacific strategy", its close connection with the US strategy, and its intention to reduce dependence on China. Firstly, there are significant contradictions in the form and content of South Korea's "Indo Pacific strategy", such as advocating inclusiveness but excluding certain countries, especially China; Claiming to support the centrality of ASEAN, but actually leaning more towards the centrality of the United States; As well as the mismatch between diplomatic goals and national strength, South Korea attempts to solve global problems as a middle power, but faces challenges from regions such as North Korea. Secondly, South Korea's "Indo Pacific strategy" is highly consistent with the US strategy, and from the formulation process to the core content and goals, it shows a weakening of South Korea's strategic autonomy within the framework of the Korea US alliance. South Korea actively participates in the multilateral mechanisms led by the United States, attempting to serve the purpose of US containment of China by strengthening its relations with ASEAN and other countries. Finally, although South Korea's "Indo Pacific strategy" still considers China as a cooperative partner on the surface, its implicit goal is to distance itself from China, reduce economic dependence on China, and exclude China in order building and regional peace issues. The South Korean government believes that excessive reliance on China is a diplomatic weakness and needs to seek alternative markets, strengthen economic and security cooperation with other countries in the Indo Pacific region, and reduce dependence on imported key raw materials.

5、 Conclusion

The government of Yoon Seok yeol promotes the vision of "values diplomacy" and "global hub country", while South Korea develops the "Indo Pacific strategy" based on the "New Southern Policy", emphasizing values, security cooperation, and shaping regional order. South Korea has strengthened cooperation with the United States, Japan, ASEAN, and other multilateral frameworks, but there are strategic contradictions and difficulties that may exacerbate regional divisions and affect South Korea's own interests.