South Korea is placing the Global South at the center of its trade strategy, turning to customs diplomacy and digital transformation to build what officials term as “practical and future-oriented partnerships.” At the forefront of this initiative is Lee Myeong-ku, commissioner of the Korea Customs Service, who says Korea’s role as a digitally advanced trading nation is now being matched by a stronger sense of global responsibility. “This is a pivotal moment,” Lee told The Korea Herald in an inte