Korea Project Conference Focuses on Complex Security Dynamics in Northeast Asia

On October 3, the Korea Project hosted a delegation from the Seoul-based East Asia Institute (EAI) at the Belfer Center for a daylong series of public events and closed consultations. The Belfer-EAI dialogue advances the Korea Project’s goal of bringing together scholars and practitioners with diverse regional and functional expertise to better understand complex security issues. The dialogue began with a public panel discussion in the Malkin Penthouse, entitled “Exploring the Impact of the Russia-Ukraine War on South Korean Security.” Following welcoming remarks from Graham Allison, EAI President Yul Sohn, and ROK Consul General Kijun You, both delegations analyzed the effects of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war on South Korean security. Chaesung Chun, Seong-ho Sheen, and Lami Kim presented on behalf of the EAI, focusing on the conflict’s impact on the U.S.-ROK alliance and South Korean public opinion toward nuclear weapons. The Belfer Center’s Mariana Budjeryn, John Park, and Francesca Giovannini offered their assessments of the conflict’s geopolitical implications, especially its effects on global nuclear norms and the future of economic statecraft. During the open discussion period, moderated by Alex O’Neill, the panelists considered the lessons Pyongyang might draw from the conflict.

The private roundtable discussion focused on “Bolstering U.S.-ROK Cooperation on Regional Nuclear Nonproliferation Governance Amid Growing Nuclear Arsenals in China and North Korea.” On the EAI side, Sheen emphasized the need to develop further the concept of integrated deterrence. Yang Gyu Kim discussed the role of emerging technologies and asymmetric strategies in the Korean security context, particularly with respect to North Korea’s new nuclear policy. On the Belfer side, Heather Williams analyzed the Tenth NPT Review Conference, highlighting the ways in which aggressive Chinese and Russian diplomatic strategies have undermined global non-proliferation cooperation. Gary Samore highlighted ways to manage China and North Korea’s efforts to expand their nuclear and ballistic missile arsenals. 

“Our dialogue with the East Asia Institute helps illuminate a growing scarcity mindset in the region with respect to security,” said Dr. Park, Director of the Korea Project. “It’s less a question of whether the U.S. remains committed to its security obligations as a treaty ally. It’s more an increasing South Korean concern about the U.S. prioritization of capabilities and resources should there be a contingency on the Korean Peninsula amid other pressing global security challenges.” A Belfer delegation will pay a reciprocal visit to Seoul next spring.

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