[Event Report] The 53rd Global Prominence Seminar

[Event Report] The 53rd Global Prominence Seminar "중동 전쟁과 국제 질서의 변화"   Title: 중동 전쟁과 국제 질서의 변화 Date: 2026. 4. 28. (Wednesday) 12:30pm-14:00pm Place: International Conference Hall (4F), Bldg. 140-2, SNU GSIS  Presenter: 신성호 (서울대 국제대학원장), 인남식 (국립외교원 교수) Moderator: 송지연 교수 (서울대 국제대학원) Language: 한국어   The Seoul National University Institute of International Affairs held the 53rd Global Prominence Seminar on April 28, 2026, in the International Conference Hall (Bldg. 140-2, 4F). The seminar was moderated by Professor Jiyeoun Song of SNU GSIS, and featured presentations by Professor Namsik In of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy and Professor Seong-ho Sheen, Dean of SNU GSIS, under the title “중동 전쟁과 국제 질서의 변화.” Professor Namsik In analyzed the geopolitical implications of the Middle East war, emphasizing that the current conflict should be understood not merely as a military confrontation but as part of a broader structural transformation in the regional order. He explained Iran’s distinctive political system, its post-1979 revolutionary identity, and the expansion of its regional influence through the so-called Shia belt. He also noted that Israel’s normalization efforts with Arab states and the weakening of Iran’s proxy networks have contributed to a more direct confrontation between Iran and Israel. Professor Seong-ho Sheen discussed the U.S.-Iran war and the future of American hegemony, arguing that the prolonged conflict reflects strategic miscalculation by the Trump administration and reveals deeper weaknesses in U.S. leadership. The discussion further addressed the risks surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, the implications for global energy markets and supply chains, China’s possible strategic gains, and Korea’s need to incorporate geopolitical risk into its economic and security planning. The seminar concluded that the crisis should be viewed as part of a long-term restructuring of international order, rather than as a temporary regional conflict. The Asia and the World Seminar Series at SNU GSIS is sponsored by Toyota Motor Korea.    

2026-05-06

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[Event Report] The 52nd Global Prominence Seminar

[Event Report] The 52nd Global Prominence Seminar "Geopolitics and Technology: Sharing between Europe and Asia"   Title: Geopolitics and Technology: Sharing between Europe and Asia Date: 2026. 4. 27. (Monday) 12:00pm-13:30pm Place: International Conference Hall (4F), Bldg. 140-2, SNU GSIS  Presenter: Prof. Sylvia Schwaag Serger (CEO of the Swedish Royal Academy of Engineering Sciences) Moderator: Prof. Erik Mobrand (Professor of SNU GSIS) Language: English   The Seoul National University Institute of International Affairs held the 52nd Global Prominence Seminar on April 27th, 2026, in the International Conference Hall (Bldg. 140-2, Room 401). The seminar was moderated by Professor Erik Mobrand of SNU GSIS, and presented by Prof. Sylvia Schwaag Serger, CEO of the Swedish Royal Academy of Engineering Sciences, under the title “Geopolitics and Technology: Sharing between Europe and Asia.” Professor Sylvia Schwaag Serger delivered a lecture on the geopolitics of science, technology, and innovation, in dialogue with Professor Erik Mobrand, followed by an active Q&A. She framed the current moment as the "Polycene", an era where geopolitics, technology, and democracy's decline interact at unprecedented speed, replacing the post-Cold War collaborative era of science with strategic competition. Comparing global innovation systems, Serger contrasted the U.S. (capital and strategic intent), China (cost-speed-scale with whole-of-government coordination), and Europe (strong science, weak system execution). She warned that growing European dependence on Chinese capacity in R&D services and manufacturing is creating strategic chokepoints with national security implications. Preparing for this new world order, she argued, requires not disengagement but smarter, strategically capacitated engagement.

2026-04-27

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[Event Report] The 51st Global Prominence Seminar: “When Rule of Law Promotion Builds Authoritarianism: Lessons from Taiwan, South Korea, and China”

[Event Report] The 51st Global Prominence Seminar "When Rule of Law Promotion Builds Authoritarianism: Lessons from Taiwan, South Korea, and China"   Title: When Rule of Law Promotion Builds Authoritarianism: Lessons from Taiwan, South Korea, and China Date: 2026. 4. 20. (Monday) 12:00pm-13:30pm Place: International Conference Hall (4F), Bldg. 140-2, SNU GSIS  Presenter: Prof. Weitseng CHEN (Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore) Moderator: Prof. Erik Mobrand (Professor of SNU GSIS) Language: English   The Seoul National University Institute of International Affairs held the 51st Global Prominence Seminar on April 20th, 2026, in the International Conference Hall (Bldg. 140-2, Room 401). The seminar was moderated by Professor Erik Mobrand of SNU GSIS, and presented by Prof. Weitseng CHEN, the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore, under the title “When Rule of Law Promotion Builds Authoritarianism: Lessons from Taiwan, South Korea, and China.” He argued that Taiwan and South Korea are not models of legal modernization theory, that rule-of-law promotion is politically neutral with respect to regime type, and that while law could contribute to democratization, its role was reactive rather than proactive. Referring to Taiwan, South Korea, and China, he contrasted state-first and civil society-first approaches to rule-of-law promotion and concluded that future efforts must address local aspirations for a strong state in authoritarian contexts, prevent state capture, assess political effects, preserve external leverage, and avoid overestimating the transformative power of law.  

2026-04-20

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[Event Report] The 50th Global Prominence Seminar: “Command of Commerce: America‘s Enduring Economic Power Advantage over China”

[Event Report] The 50th Global Prominence Seminar "Command of Commerce: America's Enduring Economic Power Advantage over China"   Title: Command of Commerce: America's Enduring Economic Power Advantage over China Date: 2026. 4. 8. (Wednesday) 12:00pm-13:30pm Place: International Conference Hall (4F), Bldg. 140-2, SNU GSIS  Presenter: Prof. Stephen G. Brooks (Department of Government, Dartmough College) Moderator: Prof. Sheen, Seong-ho (Dean of SNU GSIS) Language: English   50th GPS Seminar Video Link: https://youtu.be/x0ojDQOFyso?si=YFKhpFcOyz9-Vv_b   The Seoul National University Institute of International Affairs held the 50th Global Prominence Seminar on April 8th, 2026, in the International Conference Hall (Bldg. 140-2, Room 401). The seminar was moderated by Professor Sheen, Seong-ho of SNU GSIS, and presented by Prof. Stephen G. Brooks, the Professor of the Department of Government, Dartmouth College, under the title “Command of Commerce: America’s Enduring Economic Power Advantage over China.” He outlined the key themes of economic security and strategic competition, arguing that technological complexity and high-value industries matter far more than sheer manufacturing volume. He noted that the United States and its allies continue to hold a strong lead in many high-tech and profit-rich sectors, while China’s economic power remains significant but uneven, especially in the most advanced industries and critical supply chains. He also emphasized that possible conflict or decoupling involving China and Taiwan would impose serious economic costs on both sides, although China would likely face greater short-term losses. Based on this, he called for stronger economic security planning, clearer identification of strategic chokepoints such as critical materials and industrial dependencies, and closer coordination among allies. He particularly emphasized the need to build a long-term economic alliance centered on supply-chain resilience, multilateral strategy, and reduced dependence on China.  

2026-04-09

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[Event Report] The 49th Global Prominence Seminar: “한중 관계 발전에 새로운 기회가 열리고 있다(韩中关系发展迎来新机遇)”

[Event Report] The 49th Global Prominence Seminar "한중 관계 발전에 새로운 기회가 열리고 있다(韩中关系发展迎来新机遇)"   Title: 한중 관계 발전에 새로운 기회가 열리고 있다(韩中关系发展迎来新机遇) Date: 2025. 11. 27. (목요일) 16:00pm-17:00pm Place: SNU GSIS Socheon Hall (Bldg. 140.) Presenter: 중화인민공화국 주 대한민국 특명전권대사 다이빙 Moderator: 신성호 교수 (서울대 국제대학원) Language: 한국어 (중-한 순차통역)   The Seoul National University Institute of International Affairs held the 49th Global Prominence Seminar on November 27th, 2025, in the Socheon Hall (Bldg. 140, Room 106). The seminar was moderated by Professor Sheen, Seong-Ho of SNU GSIS, and presented by Dai Bing, Chinese Ambassador to South Korea, under the title “한중 관계 발전에 새로운 기회가 열리고 있다 (韩中关系发展迎来新机遇)” He emphasized the new momentum in South Korea-China relations following President Xi Jinping’s successful state visit to Korea during the APEC meeting, noting that the visit marked a new chapter and raised expectations for deeper cooperation. He outlined four key principles guiding the future of bilateral ties: good-neighborliness and mutual support as the foundation of relations; continued win–win cooperation as the path to shared development; managing differences and seeking common ground as a rational and mutually beneficial approach; and fostering a comprehensive and accurate understanding to enhance trust. He called on both countries to implement the leaders’ important consensus, promote positive energy in South Korea-China friendship, and advance bilateral relations in a stable and forward-looking direction. Highlighting that youth represent the future of both nations, he encouraged stronger student exchanges to deepen people-to-people connections, carry forward South Korea-China friendship, and further elevate the strategic cooperative partnership.    

2025-11-28

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