Celebrating a decade of Mason Korea and five years of CSPS-Korea, the Center for Security Policy Studies-Korea (CSPS-Korea) held its annual International Security Symposium on June 14th at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul.
Titled “The Role of Korea in the Evolving Indo-Pacific Security Dynamics,” the symposium brought together security experts from Korea and the US to discuss Korea's security and foreign policy amidst the rapidly changing Indo-Pacific security landscape.
George Mason University President Dr. Gregory Washington opened the event, highlighting the symposium's embodiment of Mason Korea's "Two Nations, One Mason" spirit and its role in fostering US-Korea security cooperation. Welcome remarks also came from Dr. Robert Matz, Campus Dean of Mason Korea, alongside video messages from Dr. Mark Rozell (Dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government) and General Michael V. Hayden (Founder of The Michael V. Hayden Center for Intelligence, Policy, and International Security). James Kim, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, offered additional remarks.
Following the keynote address on Indo-Pacific security challenges by Dr. Soyoung Kwon, Director of CSPS-Korea, the first session explored "Changing Security Dynamics and Challenges in the Indo-Pacific." Dr. Chaesung Chun (Seoul National University), Dr. Ketian Zhang (Schar School), Dr. Jae Jeok Park (Yonsei University), and Dr. Michael Hunzeker (Schar School) presented their insights.
Dr. Chun emphasized Korea's critical role in regional stability, advocating for cooperation in maritime security, nuclear non-proliferation, and military supply chain resilience.
The second session, "South Korea's Contributions as a Middle Power to Regional Security," provided perspectives from the US, Korea, and China. Moderated by Professor Ellen Laipson (Director of CSPS), the panel featured Ambassadors Kathleen Stephens (former US Ambassador to Korea), Ho-young Ahn (former Korean Ambassador to the US), and Jung-Seung Shin (former Korean Ambassador to China).
Former Ambassador Stephens noted the long-standing US role in Korean security and emphasized the growing importance of Korea's navigation as a middle power within an intensifying global power competition.
Professor Laipson concluded the symposium by expressing her hope that CSPS-Korea's symposium will continue fostering US-Korea policy development.
June 18, 2024