Speakers:

Introductory Remarks:
H E Ambassador Hong Jin-Wook
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Singapore

Presentation:
Professor Shin-wha Lee
Professor of the Department of Political Science and International Relations;
Director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Unification Studies, Korea University; and
former Ambassador of International Cooperation on North Korean Human Rights

Date & Time:

Tuesday, 25 February 2025
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm (Singapore Time)

Venue:

EAI Conference Room
NUS Bukit Timah Campus, Tower Block #06-01,
469A Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 259770

Registration is required:

Please click on https://forms.office.com/r/MrWWL3UKZS?origin=lprLink.

Abstract:

This lecture examines how South Korea navigates multilateral diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific amid intensifying US-China strategic competition and the full-force return of America First under the Trump 2.0 administration. Trump’s second term has reinforced a more uncompromising America First approach—bordering on America Alone—shaping US foreign, economic and security policies. While existing research primarily focuses on structural constraints and great power dynamics, it often overlooks the evolving nature of South Korea’s strategic autonomy and its role as a middle power. This lecture argues that South Korea’s multilateral engagement must be assessed within a framework that considers shifting US foreign policy priorities, China’s growing regional assertiveness and the increasing importance of flexible security arrangements. Additionally, domestic political uncertainties—including leadership transitions and internal divisions—further complicate Seoul’s foreign policy decision-making. By analysing South Korea’s participation in minilateral security frameworks, engagement with ASEAN and other middle powers, and the impact of domestic political constraints, this lecture evaluates how Seoul can sustain strategic balance and enhance its regional influence. The findings highlight that institutional resilience, diversification of partnerships and diplomatic adaptability are critical for South Korea to maintain its multilateral strategy amid great power competition and shifting US foreign policy under a strengthened America First doctrine.

About the Speaker:

Hong Jin-Wook is a career diplomat with over 30 years of experience. Prior to his appointment as Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to Singapore, Ambassador Hong was the Special Government Representative for Africa. Ambassador Hong also served as ROK Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt from 2020 to 2023, and had overseas postings at the Embassies of the ROK to Belgium and the European Union, Italy, Kenya and New Zealand. At the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Hong was the Deputy Director-General and subsequently Director-General for African and Middle Eastern Affairs, as well as the Director for Public Diplomacy. He also served as Assistant Secretary for Foreign Affairs at the Office of the President. Ambassador Hong graduated from Seoul National University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1988 and obtained a Master of Arts in Economics from Yonsei University in 1990, as well as a Master of Pacific International Affairs from the University of California in 1998. Ambassador Hong was awarded the Service Merit Medal in 2012 in recognition of his public service.

Shin-wha Lee is a Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations and Director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Unification Studies at Korea University. She also serves as Chair of a sub-committee in South Korea’s Government Performance Evaluation Committee and holds a PhD from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her previous positions include serving as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard’s Center for International Affairs; a Special Adviser to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the Rwandan Independent Inquiry; Chair’s Adviser for the East Asian Vision Group; a Full-time Visiting Professor at Columbia University; Vice President for International Affairs at Korea University; a Visiting Scholar at MIT’s Center for International Studies; a UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Group Member for the Peacebuilding Fund and Ambassador for International Cooperation on North Korean Human Rights.  Her research focuses on East Asian multilateral security, US multilateral policies, UN security roles, global peacekeeping, human security and North Korean human rights and security threats. Her major publications include South Korean Strategic Thought toward Asia (Palgrave Macmillan, 2008), Human Security and Cross-Border Cooperation in East Asia (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019), Foreign Policy Dilemma in South Korean Democracy (Routledge, 2021), UN, Indo-Pacific, and the Korean Peninsula (Routledge, 2024), and Trilateral Korea-Japan-US Cooperation: Dealing with North Korea-China Challenges (KUAUF, 2024).