The international system is moving towards an inflection point. The US National Defense Strategy now stipulates that US forces are expected to fight only one major conflict at a given time and that they are now focused on the Taiwan Strait. Issues like fierce US-China competition, the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and the restoration of the Russo-North Korean alliance critically further complicate the international situation. With North Korea continuing to bolster its military capabilities, South Korean public opinion increasingly backs South Korea acquiring its own nuclear weapons.
In such circumstances, the role of the Sejong Institute looms large. The Sejong Institute is one of the leading private think tanks in South Korea, and will become a more prominent one with its move to the heart of Seoul.
Going forward, the Sejong Institute aims to devote itself more directly to the national policy-making process. It will move beyond just analyzing global affairs, and seek to provide specific policy options to the Korean government.
Second, the Sejong Institute will seek to deepen its exchanges with foreign think tanks, governments, and other stakeholders. More long-term exchanges with regional experts in the world will help to boost the Institute’s capabilities.
Third, the Sejong Institute will increase its domestic and global visibility. Located in central Seoul, we will have easy access to foreign embassies, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and global media. This will make the Sejong a focal point for foreign and domestic stakeholders alike.
Thank you.
On July 1st, 2024
Hyun-Wook Kim President