[Event Report] The 44th Global Prominence Seminar: “Australian Debates on Asia's Strategic Balance”

[Event Report] The 44th Global Prominence Seminar "Australian Debates on Asia's Strategic Balance"   Title: Australian Debates on Asia's Strategic Balance Date: 2025. 9. 26. (Friday) 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Place: International Conference Hall (4F), Bldg. 140-2, SNU GSIS Presenter: Director Sam Roggeveen (Lowy Institute) Moderator: Prof. Sheen, Seong-ho (Dean of SNU GSIS) Language: English   The Seoul National University Institute of International Affairs held the 44th Global Prominence Seminar on September 26th, 2025, in the International Conference Hall (Bldg. 140-2, Room 401). The seminar was moderated by Professor Erik Mobrand of SNU GSIS and presented by Director Sam Roggeveen of the Lowy Institute under the title “Australian Debates on Asia’s Strategic Balance.” Director Roggeveen addressed how Australia should position itself amid the changing power dynamic in Asia. He asserted that Australia must act strategically within the region’s complex powerplay, warning that certain choices—such as acquiring nuclear submarines or heavily expanding military capabilities—could produce unwanted consequences for Australia’s security and long-term interests. His presentation emphasized the delicate balance Australia faces between maintaining strong security ties, managing regional stability, and avoiding actions that might exacerbate tensions in Asia. The seminar provided valuable insights into Australian strategic thinking and the dilemmas posed by the shifting balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.   46th GPS Seminar Video Link: https://youtu.be/F9NUkiwewro?si=UuW4N2zkjQAk3Jov    

2025-09-30

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[Event Report] The 43rd Global Prominence Seminar: “Bitcoin Bites: Ambient pollution and labor market outcomes in Pennsylvania”

[Event Report] The 43rd Global Prominence Seminar "Bitcoin Bites: Ambient pollution and labor market outcomes in Pennsylvania"   Title: Bitcoin Bites: Ambient pollution and labor market outcomes in Pennsylvania Date: 2025. 6. 5. (Thursday) 12:30 PM - 14:00 PM Place: International Conference Hall (4F), Bldg. 140-2, SNU GSIS Presenter: Prof. Douglas Almond (Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs & Department of Economics) Moderator: Prof. Semee Yoon (SNU GSIS) Language: English    The Seoul National University Institute of International Affairs held the 43rd Global Prominence Seminar on June 5th, 2025, in the International Conference Hall (Bldg. 140-2, Room 401). The seminar was moderated by Professor Semee Yoon of SNU GSIS and presented by Professor Douglas Almond from Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs & Department of Economics, under the title “Bitcoin Bites: Ambient pollution and labor market outcomes in Pennsylvania.” Professor Almond presented empirical findings showing that Bitcoin mining activities in Pennsylvania—particularly at coal-fired power plants like Scrubgrass—have increased local air pollution and negatively affected nearby workers’ labor hours. Using fine-grained U.S. administrative data, he demonstrated that higher mining incentives (e.g., rising Bitcoin prices) lead to more pollution and reduced working hours for employees living within 20 km of mining sites. The presenter highlights the environmental and labor market externalities of cryptocurrency mining and suggests the need for regulatory attention.   43rd GPS Seminar Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elRkbqndeGU

2025-06-05

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[Event Report] The 42nd Global Prominence Seminar: “12.3 계엄과 한국 민주주의: 거시비교적 시각”

[Event Report] The 42nd Global Prominence Seminar "12.3 계엄과 한국 민주주의: 거시비교적 시각"   Title: 12.3 계엄과 한국 민주주의: 거시비교적 시각 Date: 2025. 5. 22. (Thursday) 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM Place: International Conference Hall(4F), Bldg. 140-2, SNU GSIS  Presenter: Prof. Jai Kwan Jung (Department of Political Science and International Relations, Korea University) Moderator: Prof. Jiyeoun Song (Graduate School of International Studies, Seoul National University) Language: Korean    The Seoul National University Institute of International Affairs held the 42nd Global Prominence Seminar on May 22, 2025, in the International Conference Hall (Bldg. 140-2, Room 401). The seminar was moderated by Professor Jiyeoun Song of SNU GSIS and presented by Professor Jai Kwan Jung from Korea University’s Department of Political Science and International Relations, under the title “December 3rd Martial Law and Korean Democracy: A Macro-Comparative Perspective.” Professor Jung examined theoretical approaches to Korea’s democratization, such as modernization theory and transition theory, and explored global patterns of democratic breakdown, distinguishing between “quick deaths” via coups and “slow deaths” through legal erosion by elected leaders. He explained why Korea’s democracy is vulnerable—highlighting weak party institutions, strong civil society, issues with the presidential system, and deep political polarization—and concluded by emphasizing the need for institutional reforms to strengthen democratic resilience.  

2025-05-22

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[Event Report] The 41st Global Prominence Seminar: “Australia‘s Indo-Pacific and U.S. Alliance Strategies: Implications for South Korea”

[Event Report] The 41st Global Prominence Seminar "Australia's Indo-Pacific and U.S. Alliance Strategies: Implications for South Korea"   Title: Australia’s Indo-Pacific and U.S. Alliance Strategies: Implications for South Korea Date: 2025. 5. 21. (Wednesday) 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Place: Global Leaders Room (2F), Building 140, Room 201, SNU GSIS Presenter: Dr. Peter K. Lee (Centre for Regional Studies, Asan Institute for Policy Studies) Moderator: Professor Melissa J. Bellanta (Visiting Professor of Australian Studies, SNU GSIS) Language: English    The Seoul National University Institute of International Affairs (IIA) hosted the 41st Global Prominence Seminar on May 21, 2025, at the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS). The seminar featured Dr. Peter K. Lee, Research Fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, as the guest speaker. Dr. Lee delivered a comprehensive analysis of Australia’s evolving security identity and strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific, addressing its historical anxieties, regional ambitions, and deepening alignment with the United States. He examined Australia’s commitment to a rules-based international order, its flexible interpretation of defense sovereignty, and what he termed the “Bandicoot Dilemma” - the challenge of reconciling internal contradictions while adapting to shifting external conditions. Drawing implications for South Korea, Dr. Lee emphasized the importance of strategic diversification, regional leadership, and enhanced self-reliance amid intensifying geopolitical competition. The event was held in the Global Leaders Room at SNU GSIS and drew an audience of over 40 students. It concluded with an engaging Q&A session involving participants from GSIS and the broader SNU community. 41st GPS Seminar Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVP5I_nLEc4

2025-05-22

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[Event Report] The 40th Global Prominence Seminar: “Trump 2.0: the US and the World (A Korean Perspective)”

[Event Report] The 40th Global Prominence Seminar "Trump 2.0: the US and the World (A Korean Perspective)"   Title: Trump 2.0: the US and the World (A Korean Perspective) Date: 2025. 5. 1. (Thursday) 12:00pm-13:30pm Place: International Conference Hall (4F), Bldg. 140-2, SNU GSIS Presenter: Sheen, Seong-ho (Dean of SNU GSIS) and Yoo, Myung-hee (Professor of SNU GSIS/Former Trade Minister) Moderator: Professor Song, Jiyeoun (SNU GSIS) Language: English    The Seoul National University Institute of International Affairs (IIA) held the 39th Global Prominence Seminar on May 1st, 2025, at the SNU Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS), which convened Professor Seong-ho Sheen, Dean of SNU GSIS, and Professor Myung-hee Yoo, former Minister for Trade. The seminar, titled, "Trump 2.0: The US and the World (A Korean Perspective)," was held in the International Conference Room at SNU GSIS and was attended by over 100 students. The lecture was followed by an active Q&A session with participants, including students from GSIS and the broader SNU community. The Asia and the World Seminar Series at SNU GSIS is sponsored by Toyota Motor Korea.     40th GPS Seminar Video Link: https://youtu.be/6uDTw9FjZi0?si=Cai74bWJ1cnxdFAw    

2025-05-12

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