Seoul's Strategic Pivot: Coexistence-First Policy and Defense Autonomy

South Korea under President Lee Jae-myung drops denuclearization-first precondition, adopts 'peace first' freeze approach, and pursues nuclear submarines, drone warriors, and independent space capabilities. OPCON transfer deadlock persists, and Seoul seeks separate channels with Washington on warship requests. New: ROK Navy takes first command role in RIMPAC; US-led drills push Japan-ROK defense cooperation closer. Analysis of nuclear decoupling suggests NK's ICBM threat could erode extended deterrence, forcing Seoul to rethink posture.