The KF Korea Workshop is hosted by the Korea Foundation(KF) and organized by the East Asia Institute(EAI) to promote and share understanding of Korean social, political and economic issues among international residents in Korea.

For the second lecture of 2019 KF Korea Workshop 2, Professor Kyungmee Park of Chonbuk National University spoke about “Korean Democracy: Challenges and Development.” Professor Park discussed Korea’s democratization with a focus on three political cleavages including (1) anti-communism, (2) economic growth and distribution, and (3) political regionalism. In addition, she also explained new political cleavages that have emerged following the year 2010. Throughout the Q&A session, Professor Park answered various questions on Korean politics including female politics, former president Park Chung-hee’s leadership and economic developmental policies, and nationalistic sentiments. [View Content Details for Lecture 2]

For the fourth lecture of 2019 KF Korea Workshop 2, Professor Yul Sohn(President, EAI; Professor, Yonsei University) gave a lecture on “2019 Korean Diplomacy.” Throughout his lecture, he discussed 1) U.S.-China Strategic Competition, 2) Anti-globalization and Populism, 3) Nationalism and Identity, 4) Korea’s Strategy. He suggested that in order for Korea’s foreign diplomacy to move forward, the nation should avoid choosing sides between the U.S. and China, abide by the international law, and overcome extreme nationalistic sentiments. The participants asked various questions on the Korea-Japan trade dispute, Japan’s position on matters pertaining to the Korean Peninsula, and Korea’s diplomacy in the year 2019. [View Content Details for Lecture 4]

For the fifth lecture of 2019 KF Korea Workshop 2, Professor Joon-Ho Hahm of Yonsei University spoke about “Korean Economy: Present and Future.” Professor Hahm began the lecture by explaining Korea’s developmental history from a war-torn country to an industrialized powerhouse and the world’s twelfth largest economy. He referenced various data from the Bank of Korea including the economic development rate, inflation, and employment rates of Korea over the past three years. During the Q&A session, the participants inquired about the economic development paradigm and the future trajectory of Korea’s economy. [View Content Details for Lecture 5]