[Campus Asia] Field Trip to Gunsan

On May 3rd to 4th of 2019, Campus Asia students went on a two-day field trip to Gunsan, the city combined the history of Korea, Japan and China. This Gunsan field trip gave CAMPUS Asia students a chance to get closer to GSIS students, having traveled with Prof. Sheen’s “East Asia Security Strategy” class’ students. Students visited many historical sites, such as Dongkuk Temple made by a Japanese monk, Japanese style Hirotsu House, Oversees Chinese history museum which tells the story regarding ‘jajangmyeon and jjampong’. Moreover, students have also paid a visit on a famous modern cafe in Gunsan named ‘Old Brick’, which remodeled from a warehouse. Every one of these places has its own value. Also, for the sake of better communication among students, CAMPUS Asia team and the class students had been divided into 4 groups to have a photography competition. Different groups went to different places in Gunsan to show their activity, creativity and cooperation. After the 2-hour of free time, students have gathered together and discussed about distinguished themes and ideas. Besides, team members could get along with each other more easily through this activity. They shared different cultures and perceptions, which was able to provide students with indirect experience of other countries situations. On the next day, students went to the Seonyu island to relax and enjoy the sceneries. Students had one of the most memorable times in 2019 Spring semester Campus Asia Program activities. All of them showed great interests regarding Korean history and East Asia international relation.

2019-05-13

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[Global Perspectives] Putting the EU-Korea partnership to work the past and the vision for 2019

On April 10th 2019, the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence (EU Centre) welcomed His Excellency Michael Reiterer, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Korea, to a special lecture entitled ‘Putting the EU-Korea partnership to work: the past and vision for 2019’. Fruitful insights into the EU-Republic of Korea relationship in 2018 were firstly introduced, addressing one of the many events that have occurred such as the EU-ROK summit on October 10th 2018, activities for climate action that linked conscious efforts to ameliorate civil society of Korea, or the 15th ROK-EU Joint Committee Meeting. Dr. Michael Reiterer then shared in his address the outlook for 2019: managing change in the EU since BREXIT, resolving global risks and uncertainties and advancing the EU-Korea trade and economic relations. As a concluding remark, the special lecture not only attracted participants’ interest in EU’s foreign policies, but also informed participants of the vision of the EU-ROK partnership in 2019.

2019-05-13

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[44TH INTERNATIONAL DEVLEOPMENT POLICY SEMINAR] SEOUL PYONGYANG SMART CITY

The 44th International Development Policy Seminar was held on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The lecture, entitled “Seoul Pyongyang Smart City: New Direction of Economic Development in North Korea”, was presented by Dr. Min, Kyung-Tae, a Solution Designer for the Yeosijae Consensus Institute. The lecture was attended by the 11th batch DCPP Students, Professor Jeong Hyeok, and other graduate students. Many topics related to a new economic collaboration between the two Koreas were discussed, including the development of “smart cities” in North Korea. Dr. Min explained how the concept was favorable to North Korea due to several reasons: demolition or modification of preexisting infrastructure is mostly unnecessary; the mobile communication system skip the gradual development process and opt for the latest technological outcomes; there exists legal advantages, especially considering North Korea’s potential SEZs and the complex legal process involved in developing new cities in South Korea; and the lack of private ownership of property, state ownership of natural resources, and military forces that could be potentially mobilized for civil construction in North Korea bring down construction costs. Furthermore, there are many vested interest groups in South Korea and the rise of opposition groups are more likely in South Korea. Therefore, building a testbed in North Korea for new technological application by South Korean businesses and institutions can be a viable win-win situation for both Koreas.

2019-04-19

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SK Funding Ceremony to the Institute of International Affairs of SNU GSIS

SK Group’s SV Committee has donated 950 Million Won in funding to the Institute of International Affairs of Seoul National University GSIS. In response, SNU held a ceremony delivering a plaque of appreciation at Gwanak Campus on April 17th, 2019. SNU president Oh Se-jung, Lee Hyung-hee of the SK SUPEX Coucil, and GSIS president Jeong Jong-Ho attended for the ceremony. The Institute of International Affairs will publish a series of Journal of International and Area Sturies(JIAS) with the fund, and will contribute to share and accumulate the knowledge by leading the creation of the world’s best level research in depth and hosting academic conferences through centers.  

2019-04-19

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[Issues and Perspectives] Asia in 2025 Development Prospects for Middle-Income Countries

On April 10, 2018, SNU GSIS invited Mr Ganeshan Wignaraja, Executive Director of Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) in Sri Lanka, to speak at on Issues and Perspectives Seminar with the title of “Asia in 2025: Development Prospects for Middle-Income Countries”. Sponsored by Toyota Motor Korea, the Issues and Perspectives Seminar series put on by SNU GSIS in order to discuss timely policy issues. In the seminar, Prof. Wignaraja examined the outlook of Asia in 2025 with three mega trends – China centered-GVCs, The Belt and Road Initiative and inequality.

2019-04-12

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[Global Perspectives] 2019 Asia-EU Cooperation Seminar

Celebrating 30 years of excellence in Jean Monnet activities, SNU-EU Centre, cofounded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, and KDI School of Public Policy and Management hosted a one-day seminar titled “Globalisation at the Crossroads: Current Challenges and Future Prospects” at GSIS SNU. Following an opening remark from Dean Jeong JongHo, of SNU GSIS, the seminar welcomed Dr. Joëlle Hivonnet, Minister Counsellor/Head of Political Section of the EU Delegation to the ROK, who addressed the 30th anniversary of Jean Monnet Activities whilst emphasising on fruitful discussions based on the three different sessions: (i) Economic Challenges and Global Economic Order, (ii) Socio-political Challenges and Global Governance, (iii) Regionalism versus Multilateralism. Chaired by Professor Cho, Man, (KDI School), the first session “Economic Challenges and Global Economic Order” dealt with subject matters such as the 4th paradox of globalisation: hubs and new location policy of companies, a case study of Korea’s national development process on the effects of global economic shocks, and the effect and risk of US interest rate hike on daily capital flows in emerging market countries. The second session, chaired by Professor Rhee, Yeongsup, (SNU), presented “socio-political challenges and global governance”. ‘Japan’s Immigration Policy Reform and Its Implications for Global Governance in International Migration’, ‘Europe (Re)Divided: A New Cold War’ and ‘substate and trans-sovereign nationalities in the European Borderlands’ were considered. The third session, moderated by Professor Sohn, Wook, (KDI School), examined “regionalism versus multilateralism”. Presentees openly debated on topics such as ‘The EU-Latin America Inter-Regional Relations in the field of Human Rights’, ‘How Europe Squanders its Role in the Nuclear Conflict on the Korean Peninsula’, and ‘Preferential Trade Agreements and Antidumping Protection’. Overall, the seminar not only enabled world-renowned experts from different fields to share their assessments on the current issues of globalisation but it also allowed them to negotiate imminent possibilities that may occur in the future.

2019-04-08

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[Asia and the World] UNESCO and the Sustainable Development Goals in Asian Context

Irina Bokova, the former General Director of UNESCO (2009-2017) and the first woman and Eastern European leading the organization, delivered a special lecture on Thursday, April 4, 2019 in the International Conference Room at GSIS. The lecture presented by Irina Bokova, sponsored by Toyota Motor Korea, was titled “UNESCO and the Sustainable Development Goals in Asian Context.” During this lecture, Irina Bokova gave her insight on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) made by the United Nations (UN), and especially what role Asia can play, as it a very diverse region with great potential. She discussed important goals including the impact of education and climate change. The lecture concluded with a thought-provoking Q & A session, a photo session, and the presentation of the appreciation plaque.

2019-04-08

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[Distinguished Lecture] Science-as-engine the role of universities in regional economic development

On the 25th of March, 2019, SNU EU Centre, cofounded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, hosted a distinguished lecture on “Science-as-engine: the role of universities in regional economic development” at the GSIS International Conference Room.  The lecture was welcomed by Dr. Luc Sels, the Rector of KU Leuven, who shared his insight of the importance of the connections between universities and the market economy development, as well as their aggregate impacts in becoming engines of innovation to private institutional development. Mentioning the problematic factors within a multiversity, Dr. Luc Sels concluded that private institutions should not forget the importance of inclusion and broad accessibility of research excellence to a broader audience.  Overall, the lecture shared an insight into the need of further cooperation between universities in the market economy whilst scientific discoveries are becoming a strong driver in economic growth.

2019-04-02

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[Asia and the World] Toward a theory of human life in mature societies

Emiko Ochiai, a distinguished professor at Kyoto University in the department of the Division of Behavioral Studies, delivered a special lecture on Thursday, March 21, 2019 in the International Conference Room. The lecture presented by Prof. Emiko Ochiai, sponsored by Toyota Motor Korea, was titled “Toward a Theory of Human Life in Mature Societies: European, American and East Asian Paths to Go Beyond the 20th-Century Model of Social Reproduction.” During this lecture, Prof. Emiko Ochiai gave her insight on the re-integration of human social reproduction in social sciences as a foundation for her theory of human life in aging, or mature, societies in Europe, the United States, and in East Asia in the post 20th century. The lecture concluded with a Q & A session, the presentation of the appreciation plaque, and a photo session.

2019-03-28

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[43rd International Devleopment Policy Seminar] Understanding of Korean ODA

The 43rd International Development Policy Seminar was held on Tuesday, March 19th, 2019 in the GL Room. The lecture entitled “Understanding of Korean ODA” was presented by Park Young-Doo, a Director of the International Development Cooperation Bureau, Office for Government Policy Coordination. The lecture was attended by the 11th batch DCPP students, Professor Jeong Hyeok, and other graduate students. The seminar explained Korea’s ODA history of how Korea became a donor country from a recipient and Korea’s ODA business structure and its project process. Through the personal experience of the lecturer, the students were able to feel the pace of rapid economic development in Korea vividly.

2019-03-21

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