KOREA FOUNDATION

We understand you are teaching political science and international relations at Korea University in Seoul. Would you tell us a little about yourself?

I earned my doctorate degree in international relations at the University of Southern California. I taught at Brown University and the University of Oklahoma before joining the Korea University faculty in 2008. My major subjects were international politics and economics, and East Asian financial and monetary order. I happened upon public diplomacy when I was invited to a conference of the East Asia Institute on soft power. The subject is a little different from my major field of research, but I found it to be analyzable in my constructivist theoretical framework. I have enjoyed working on it since then.

You have offered various classes on political diplomacy and international relations over your career. Would you tell us how your students view Korea’s status in the international community?

They seem to have mixed views and emotions that can be summed up into two points. First, they have confidence that Korea can take a leading role in the formation of a new world order, and second, they share a sense that Korea’s voice has been limited on issues related to the Korean Peninsula, and Korea must instead play a rather passive role, surrounded by four powerful nations. In other words, they see that Korea is playing a major role in the United Nations as a member of the G20, and has successfully implemented middle power diplomacy, but the nation is more limited when it comes to the North Korea problem and related issues.

Your research has focused on the political situation in East Asia. Have you noticed any particularly interesting developments in Northeast Asia lately?

It is intriguing that Northeast Asian countries have achieved economic success but are still “struggling for recognition” among themselves. European countries, despite their differences in national power, recognize one another as equal partners, but mutual recognition has yet to be realized in Northeast Asia. This absence of mutual recognition results in fluctuations in international relations when issues arise. It is necessary to further examine this problem from a long-term perspective.
  In this light, the importance of public diplomacy cannot be overemphasized, as people-to-people contacts serve as the ultimate foundation of mutual recognition. In the course of public diplomacy, it would be better for us to honestly and confidently show the good and bad of our society, instead of publicizing our merits alone. Korea has already become a tremendous success, and it has many accomplishments that can offset its limitations.

You took part in the “KF Lecture Series on International Exchange: Understanding Public Diplomacy” last year. What were your impressions of the participants?

Their eagerness and the quality of their questions were quite impressive. Other professors who previously participated in the program had told me that they greatly enjoyed the classroom atmosphere, and I felt it myself when I was there. Perhaps because the class was comprised of people from such diverse backgrounds, I heard fresh questions from a variety of perspectives. I think it would be good to collect the suggestions of the class and deliver them to the government.

What advice would you offer to young students who want to contribute to international relations through exchange or public diplomacy?

A diplomatic war is going on in the pursuit of national interests across many fields, including politics, the military and security, and the economy. It would be helpful to pursue public diplomacy in the context of global public good provision so as to enrich the lives of people in other countries by disseminating our culture and values. Yet we do not have to pursue public diplomacy in foreign countries alone. We can engage in effective public diplomacy purely by being kind to foreign residents here in Korea. Dream big and always be kind to people around you.

Written by Woo Ji-won