KOREA FOUNDATION

An encounter with someone with professional experience can have a decisive influence on one’s personal career path.

If you are a young researcher pursuing a career in academia, do not miss out on invaluable opportunities to have in-person meetings with scholars who have made great achievements in your field of interest, or to visit leading think tanks and learn about their major research activities.

Through the KF Next Generation Policy Experts’ Network, the Korea Foundation provides young scholars with chances to network with experts in relevant fields and up-to-date knowledge on Korea-related issues.

In the six years since the network was created in 2015, the KF has used it to introduce various events and activities, such as seminars and forums on Korea-related issues, lecture series, mentoring programs, visits to Korean government and research institutions, and cultural events.

This time, we interviewed two ASEAN researchers to hear about their participation in 2021 Next Generation events and their plans for the future.

Pham Duy Thuc, Senior Researcher, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV)
“The program should be continued and expanded.”

Q. Why did you apply for this program?

A. It was a promising project. It helped facilitate exchange between experts, bringing Korean people and Southeast Asian people closer together. It also promoted mutual understanding, contributing to bilateral cooperation between Korea and Southeast Asian nations, including Vietnam, as well as improving Korea-ASEAN relations for mutual benefit.

Q. What did you gain most from this program?

A. It was a good chance for friends and experts from Korea and Southeast Asia to meet and exchange views on issues of mutual concern, especially Korea’s New Southern Policy. Participants also got to understand more about the Korean people, culture, strategic thinking, and Korea’s endless efforts to work with Southeast Asian nations for a better shared future.

Q. Could you share your future plans for Korea-related research or activities?

A. I finished my PhD in international relations. I’m willing to share my personal views and expertise to strengthen the Vietnam-Korea strategic cooperative partnership and bolster Korea’s engagement in ASEAN, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

Q. Would you recommend this program to future Next Gene Scholars? If so, why?

A. The program should be continued and expanded to further enhance people-to-people exchange between Korea and Southeast Asian countries. Southeast Asian people should know more about Korea. Likewise, there should be more and more Korean experts on Southeast Asia, ASEAN, and Vietnam. Korea can go beyond its current widely recognized status as a medium power to become a major power in the region.

Waffaa Kharisma, Research Assistant, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Indonesia
“There is not one good reason to decline the opportunity to join the program.”

Q. Why did you apply for this program?

A. I had heard of the KF Next Generation Policy Experts’ Network Program for a long time. I had also heard insights and testimoniesfrom some of the alumni of the program, who went on to benefit from the network established between participants, oreven formed long-lasting friendships between scholars interested in common issues. I was very much delighted when I heard that I was recommended for the program,not only becauseI have been involved with a number of research projects supported by the Korea Foundation, but also because the topic of the program was aligned with my own work and research interests.

Q. What did you gain most from this program?

A. I held in high regard the chance to interact with some of the experts on Korea’s foreign policy that were invited aspresenters and speakers during theprogram. Being familiar with their work, I was eager to be in touch with them. I also valued the network of regional experts that was formed as a result of the event. Sadly, due to the pandemic, the participants’ interactions were restricted to online platforms. Again, hearing from the experience of the alumniof past programs and how they have benefitted from direct interactions, I will likely miss the discussions and engagements I would have gained if we all got to meet in person!

Q. Could you share your future plans for Korea-related research or activities?

A. Some of my own recent (and even ongoing) research,as well as events that I have conducted, have revolved around South Korea's foreign policy, especially on topics like the New Southern Policy, the peace process on the peninsula, etc. To name a few, I am currently involved in research lookingat Korea's foreign policy towards the Indo-Pacific and ASEAN, as well as hosting the New Southern Policy Forum Series here in the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta. As we, South Korea and Southeast Asia, are becoming much more integrated, from reaching milestones like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to witnessing our cooperation in managing the pandemic, it will be increasingly relevant for us to observe one another’s policies. More and more people are interested in Korea’s domestic politics, since there will be some implication of the shape of Korea’s role in the region and the prospect of Korea’s cooperation with my country.

Q. Would you recommend this program to future Next Gene Scholars? If so, why?

A. My experience with the program has been wonderful. The networkand knowledge I have gained have been fulfilling. I could not recommend the program enough for those who are interested in strategic issues, regional development issues, or general international relations inthe region,beit called the Indo-Pacific or the Asia-Pacific. Plenty of the future will lie in the integration anddynamics between countries in EastAsia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia as well. There is not one good reason to decline the opportunity to join the program if the opportunity presents itself.