Measure
Snapshot
South Korea
Ranked 7 of 26 for comprehensive power, with an overall score of 29.5 out of 100.
Lost 0.5 points (−2% change) in overall score in 2023.
Lost 0.5 points (−2% change) in overall score in 2023.
South Korea is a middle power in Asia.
Its overall score declined by 0.5 points in 2022.
South Korea’s strongest measure continues to be defence networks, where it places fourth, the result of its extensive defence cooperation with treaty ally the United States.
South Korea ranks fifth in three measures — economic capability, military capability, and economic relationships — reflecting its role as one of the largest and most prosperous countries in Asia.
South Korea’s weakest measure is resilience, where it ranks tenth, a three-place decline from the 2021 edition of the Asia Power Index. This decline is a result of the country’s weakening resource security.
South Korea exerts more influence in the region than expected given its available resources, as indicated by the country’s positive power gap score. While South Korea is a net overachiever in Asia, its positive power gap continued to deteriorate in 2022.
Read more analysis in the Key Findings report. Explore further results in the Scores section.
Bilateral trade, current dollars (2020)
Globally, which countries does South Korea do most of its trade with?
Which countries in the region rely most on trade with South Korea?
A country’s weighted average across eight measures of power
Economic size and attributes with the most geopolitical relevance
Conventional military strength
Capacity to deter real or potential threats to state stability
Projected distribution of future economic, military and demographic resources
The capacity to exercise influence and leverage through economic interdependencies
Defence partnerships that act as force multipliers of military capability
The extent and standing of a state’s foreign relations
Ability to shape international public opinion through cultural appeal and interaction