[KF Korea Workshop 2] Politics and Economy

The East Asia Institute (EAI) hosted the [2019 KF Korea Workshop 2] for foreigners residing in Korea in collaboration with the Korea Foundation (KF) to enhance their understanding of Korea and foster greater empathy. This workshop, covering topics such as Korean corporations, politics, media, diplomacy and security, economy, and culture, focused on expanding the understanding and empathy towards Korea's evolving diplomacy and security in line with the interests of foreign residents in Korea.

As the first session of the 2019 KF Korea Workshop 2, EAI invited Professor Park Kyung-mee from Jeonbuk National University to deliver a lecture on "Challenges and Agendas of Korean Democracy." This lecture examined the history of Korean democracy centered on three political cleavages: 1) anti-communism, 2) growth and distribution, and 3) political regionalism, while also discussing new political issues that have emerged since 2010. Subsequently, participants shared their opinions on various recent political agendas in Korea, including welfare and gender issues, engaging in in-depth reflection on the future direction of Korean democracy.[Lecture 2 View Content]

As the second session of the 2019 KF Korea Workshop 2, EAI President Yeo Sun-youl (Professor, Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies) delivered a lecture on "Korea's Diplomacy in 2019." President Yeo explained 1) US-China strategic competition, 2) the wave of anti-globalization and populism, 3) nationalism and identity competition, and 4) Korea's strategy. He further emphasized that for Korea's foreign policy to advance, it is crucial to avoid taking sides between the US and China, cooperate in shaping international norms, and overcome exclusive and resistant nationalism. Following this, participants engaged in discussions and reflections on Korea's 2019 foreign policy through various questions concerning the Korea-Japan dispute and Japan's stance on the Korean Peninsula.[Lecture 4 View Content]

As the final session of the 2019 KF Korea Workshop 2, the East Asia Institute (EAI) invited Professor Ham Jun-ho from Yonsei University to deliver a lecture on "Korea's Economic and Political Outlook." This lecture reviewed the history of Korea's economic development, marked by rapid industrialization and economic growth. It also provided an overview of Korea's short-term economic prospects through recent three-year economic growth rates, current account balances, inflation, and employment figures from Bank of Korea reports. In the subsequent Q&A session, student participants engaged in in-depth discussions and considerations regarding the future direction of Korea's economy by posing various questions about economic growth paradigms and specific policy tasks. [5Lecture View Content]