[Event Report] The 63rd Global Prominence Seminar

[Event Report] The 63rd Global Prominence Seminar "How to Win a Trade War"   Title: How to Win a Trade War Date: 2026. 9. 2. (Wednesday) 12:30pm-14:00pm Place: International Conference Hall (4F), Bldg. 140-2, SNU GSIS    Presenter: Chad P. Bown (Reginald Jones Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics) Moderator: Prof. Ahn, Dukgeun (SNU GSIS) Language: English     The Seoul National University Institute of International Affairs held the 63rd Global Prominence Seminar on September 2nd, 2026, in the International Conference Hall (Bldg. 140-2, 4F). The seminar was moderated by Professor Ahn, Dukgeun of SNU GSIS, and presented by Chad P. Bown, Reginald Jones Senior Fellow of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, under the title “How to Win a Trade War.” Chad P. Bown opened by walking through the central arguments of his book, How to Win a Trade War, coauthored with Soumaya Keynes. He touched on the current state of China's economic strategy, noting elements such as President Xi Jinping's "dual circulation" model and Beijing's use of export restrictions on rare earth materials as part of the broader picture of how major powers are now wielding economic tools. He then turned to middle power countries, emphasizing that while understanding one's own vulnerabilities is important, identifying genuine strengths to build on and leverage matters just as much. He pointed to Korea's semiconductor sector as a clear example of such a strategic strength, noting that industries of this kind give middle powers real leverage within an increasingly transactional trading order. The remainder of the session unfolded as a wide-ranging exchange with students, who probed him on the practical mechanics and consequences of tariffs, subsidies, and other trade policy instruments now being deployed across the global economy.  

2026-09-02

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[Event Report] The 62nd Global Prominence Seminar

[Event Report] The 62nd Global Prominence Seminar "Five Strategic Transformations Shaping Security on the Korean Peninsula"   Title: Five Strategic Transformations Shaping Security on the Korean Peninsula Date: 2026. 9. 1. (Tuesday) 15:00pm-16:30pm Place: Global Leaders Room (2F), Bldg. 140, Room 201, SNU GSIS   Presenter: Jenny Town (Senior Fellow of the Stimson Center, Director of 38 North) Moderator: Prof. Sheen, Seong-ho (Dean of SNU GSIS) Language: English   The Seoul National University Institute of International Affairs held the 62nd Global Prominence Seminar on September 1st, 2026, in the Global Leaders Room (Bldg. 140, Room 401). The seminar was moderated by Professor Sheen, Seong-ho of SNU GSIS, and presented by Jenny Town, Senior Fellow of the Stimson Center, Director of 38 North, under the title “Five Strategic Transformations Shaping Security on the Korean Peninsula." She argued that the Korean Peninsula is undergoing five interconnected strategic transformations: North Korea has developed a mature and diversified nuclear force, its growing capabilities have enabled more ambitious strategic objectives, and Pyongyang’s rejection of peaceful unification is institutionalizing the division of the peninsula. She further emphasized that inter-Korean dialogue and human connections are deteriorating, while the U.S.–ROK alliance is expanding beyond traditional military deterrence into nuclear consultation, strategic flexibility, and economic security, with shipbuilding and semiconductors increasingly becoming alliance-relevant strategic sectors. Finally, she concluded that deepening Russia–DPRK cooperation, persistent China–DPRK ties, and the hardening of rival blocs across the Indo-Pacific and Eurasia are increasing the peninsula’s strategic importance, making both Koreas active players in shaping regional security dynamics rather than merely objects of great-power competition.  

2026-09-01

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[Event Report] The 61st Global Prominence Seminar

[Event Report] The 61st Global Prominence Seminar "The East Asia and the United States in Infinite Game Perspective: The Implications of Trade War and Distributive Justice"   Title: The East Asia and the United States in Infinite Game Perspective: The Implications of Trade War and Distributive Justice Date: 2026. 6. 16. (Tuesday) 12:00pm-13:30pm Place: Global Leaders Room (2F), Bldg. 140, Room 201, SNU GSIS   Presenter: Prof. Chen Yun (School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University) Moderator: Prof. Hyuntai Lee  (Professor of SNU GSIS) Language: English   The Seoul National University Institute of International Affairs held the 61st Global Prominence Seminar on June 16, 2026, in the Global Leaders Room (Bldg. 140, 2F). The seminar was moderated by Professor Hyuntai Lee of SNU GSIS and featured a presentation by Professor Chen Yun of Fudan University under the title “The East Asia and the United States in Infinite Game Perspective: The Implications of Trade War and Distributive Justice.” Professor Chen examined the evolution of the postwar trans-Pacific economic cooperation model between East Asia and the United States, arguing that it has historically functioned as a mutually beneficial arrangement in which East Asia served as the world’s manufacturing base while the United States provided capital, technology, and markets. She emphasized that the rise of populism in developed countries, particularly the emergence of Trumpism in the United States, revealed structural weaknesses within this model. According to Professor Chen, the fundamental source of the Sino–U.S. trade conflict lies not merely in trade imbalances but in the absence of distributive justice within both societies. She argued that growing inequality, insufficient domestic demand, and unequal distribution of the benefits of globalization have generated political dissatisfaction and intensified trade tensions. Professor Chen further compared the contemporary Sino–U.S. trade war with the Japan–U.S. trade disputes of the 1980s. She noted that Japan’s model of “shared growth,” characterized by stronger domestic demand and overseas industrial relocation, enabled bilateral trade frictions to ease over time. In contrast, China’s continued reliance on exports, coupled with weaker domestic consumption and widening income disparities, has contributed to a more persistent and complex conflict. She also highlighted the additional roles of industrial security concerns, geopolitical competition, and ideological rivalry in shaping present-day Sino–U.S. relations. Drawing on the concept of the “infinite game,” she argued that sustainable international cooperation requires long-term institutional adaptation rather than short-term zero-sum competition. The presentation also explored the domestic implications of the trade war for both countries. Professor Chen contended that the United States has remained economically and technologically dominant despite trade deficits, and that its primary challenge is addressing the unequal distribution of globalization’s gains. She suggested that a modernized version of Roosevelt’s New Deal would be more effective than protectionist policies in addressing these concerns. Regarding China, she argued that distributive inequality, insufficient welfare provision, and weak domestic demand have generated structural economic vulnerabilities, including overcapacity and demographic challenges. She proposed that strengthening social welfare, expanding domestic consumption, and improving distributive justice are essential for China’s long-term development. The seminar concluded with a discussion on the future of East Asia–U.S. relations. Participants reflected on the risks posed by prolonged trade conflicts and economic decoupling, while also considering the possibility of renewed cooperation. The discussion emphasized that both China and the United States must pursue domestic reforms that improve distributive justice if they are to restore the sustainability of the trans-Pacific economic relationship and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes within an “infinite game” framework.    

2026-06-17

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[Event Report] The 60th Global Prominence Seminar

[Event Report] The 60th Global Prominence Seminar "From aid to investment: Rethinking trade-led development in a new global economy"   Title: From aid to investment: Rethinking trade-led development in a new global economy Date: 2026. 6. 11. (Thursday) 12:30pm-13:30pm Place:  International Conference Hall (4F), Bldg. 140-2, SNU GSIS  Presenter: Pamela Coke-Hamilton (Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC)) Moderator: Prof. Ahn, Dukgeun (Professor of SNU GSIS) Language: English   The Seoul National University Institute of International Affairs held the 60th Global Prominence Seminar on June 11, 2026, in the International Conference Hall (Bldg. 140-2, 4F). The seminar was moderated by Professor Ahn, Dukgeun of SNU GSIS, and featured presentations by Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton of the International Trade Centre (ITC), under the title “From aid to investment: Rethinking trade-led development in a new global economy.” Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton discussed the future of the multilateral trading system and Korea’s role within it, arguing that although global value chains and traditional interdependence are facing a major rupture, Korea has a distinctive value proposition. Korea’s evolution from an aid recipient to an OECD member and donor country gives it credibility with developing countries seeking economic transformation. Its investments in human capital development and technology make it a useful model for countries hoping to shift toward competitiveness. She suggested that Korea can share this experience and assume a stronger leadership role, especially as the global trading order faces a leadership vacuum. Korea’s soft power, including music, gaming, beauty, and other cultural industries, strengthens its ability to communicate, connect, and inspire change. Her central message was that the multilateral trading system remains vital for global development, and Korea’s time has come to help defend and renew it through development experience, technological capacity, and cultural influence. To students, she advised taking the long view and holding on to a core belief about why they do their work.  

2026-06-11

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[Event Report] The 59th Global Prominence Seminar

[Event Report] The 59th Global Prominence Seminar "The Republic of Korea–Japan Joint Development Agreement at 50: An Australian Roadmap for Energy Cooperation"   Title: The Republic of Korea–Japan Joint Development Agreement at 50: An Australian Roadmap for Energy Cooperation Date: 2026. 6. 8. (Monday) 12:00pm-13:30pm Place: Global Leaders Room (2F), Bldg. 140, Room 201, SNU GSIS Presenter: Prof. Constantinos Yiallourides (Visiting Professor of Australian Studies, SNU GSIS) Discussion Panelist: Dr. Wonhee Kim (Senior Researcher, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology) Moderator: Professor Seong-ho Sheen (Dean, SNU GSIS) Language: English   The Seoul National University Institute of International Affairs held the 59th Global Prominence Seminar on June 8, 2026, in the Global Leader's Room (Bldg. 140, 2F). The seminar was moderated by Professor Seong-ho Sheen of SNU GSIS, and featured presentations by Professor Constantinos Yiallourides, a visiting Professor of Australian Studies, SNU GSIS and Dr. Wonhee Kim of Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, under the title “The Republic of Korea–Japan Joint Development Agreement at 50: An Australian Roadmap for Energy Cooperation.” Prof. Constantinos Yiallourides examined the Korea-Japan Joint Development Agreement on the southern part of the continental shelf, arguing that the 1974 agreement was a pragmatic and forward-looking arrangement shaped by offshore energy prospects, the 1973 oil crisis, and the need to maintain stable bilateral relations. He explained that the JDA allowed exploration to proceed without requiring final maritime boundary delimitation, while also reflecting broader international practice on joint development arrangements, including the Australia-Indonesia and Australia-Timor-Leste examples. He further noted that the agreement now faces serious implementation difficulties, especially in light of modern maritime delimitation jurisprudence and the possibility of termination after the initial fifty-year period. Dr. Wonhee Kim discussed the long-term stalemate in the JDA’s implementation, emphasizing that early exploration, later seismic surveys, and divergent assessments of commercial viability have prevented renewed joint drilling since 2006. He argued that the JDA has nonetheless helped prevent maritime disputes in the East China Sea by preserving a cooperative framework among overlapping Korean, Japanese, and Chinese maritime claims. The seminar concluded that the future of the JDA depends on whether Korea and Japan can identify mutual benefits, safeguard their legal positions, and either modernize the existing regime or combine permanent maritime boundary delimitation with a special joint development arrangement.    

2026-06-11

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