Seoul conference convenes as allies question U.S. security commitments in Indo-Pacific

The Asan Plenum 2026, an annual security conference in Seoul, gathered regional leaders to address growing concerns about America's reliability as a security partner amid multiple global conflicts. The conference focused on strengthening "inter-ally" cooperation among Indo-Pacific nations, reflecting widespread doubt about long-term U.S. commitments to the region. The gathering signals that Asian allies are hedging their strategic bets and exploring deeper coordination independent of American security guarantees. This represents a significant geopolitical shift as countries like South Korea, Japan, and others seek greater self-reliance and regional partnerships amid uncertainty about U.S. foreign policy priorities.