George Mason University Korea and the U.S. Embassy Seoul recently hosted the 2025 U.S.-ROK-Japan Young Trilateral Leaders (YTL) Regional Workshop Series on the Mason Korea campus. The workshop featured sessions on peace technology led by experts from the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University and the Faculty of Letters at Soka University in Japan.
The 2025 YTL Workshop Series consists of four phases. The Incheon Songdo workshop, held from April 11–14, marked the second phase and took place in person over three nights and four days. Phase one consisted of four weeks of online pre-learning from March 10 to April 4. The third phase will be co-hosted with U.S. Consulate General Osaka in Hiroshima, Japan, from May 9–12 followed by the final phase, an online evaluation, scheduled for August 21 and 28.
“Mason Korea is cultivating global conflict management experts through the Korea Serious Game Institute and the Peace and Conflict Studies Center Asia,” said Mason Korea Campus Dean Joshua Park. “Grounded in innovation, expertise, and an entrepreneurial spirit, we aim to strengthen U.S.-Korea collaboration in education and research for the Fourth Industrial Revolution—serving as a trusted bridge for students, industries, and government agencies to thrive on the global stage.”
During the in-person workshop, 26 members of the State Department’s Young Trilateral Leaders (YTL) program from Korea, the U.S., and Japan built on their pre-session knowledge, engaging in lectures and group activities with Korean and international experts. Topics included conflict analysis and resolution, peace studies, the application of advanced AI serious games, and international relations based on historical and cultural perspectives.
On Saturday, April 12, the YTL workshop opened with a keynote address by Mason Korea Dean Joshua Park and U.S. Embassy Seoul Public Diplomacy Officer Joshua Lustig, followed by a lecture from Dr. Soyoung Kwon, Associate Dean of External Affairs and Professor of Global Affairs, on “Korea’s Regional Diplomacy and the Trilateral Alliance.” Program Leader Dr. Roland Wilson, Director of the Peace and Conflict Studies Center Asia (PACSC Asia) and Professor of Conflict Analysis and Resolution, delivered a session on Youth Leadership, which led into a joint talk with Dr. James Broderick (Computer Game Design) titled “Peace and Conflict: How to Use Tech and AI.” Participants then collaborated in small groups to analyze conflict scenarios and propose solutions using AI-based serious games.
On Sunday, April 13, after completing a trilateral conflict simulation and case studies, students visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) for a field learning experience.
“This workshop offered young leaders from Korea, the U.S., and Japan an opportunity to strengthen their conflict analysis and resolution skills by using George Mason University’s advanced AI serious games," said Dr. Roland Wilson. "It also helped them develop global leadership and teamwork, while exploring innovative solutions to regional and international conflict challenges. I hope this workshop has provided future youth leaders with a valuable opportunity to view regional and global relations to deepen mutual understanding.”
“As Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized alongside ROK Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, the trilateral partnership is a crucial component of our shared commitment to the safety, security, and prosperity of both our own countries and the broader Indo-Pacific region,” said U.S. Embassy Seoul Public Diplomacy Officer Joshua Lustig. “For this partnership to truly flourish, we need to leverage the creativity and talents of people from ever corner of our respective societies, especially emerging leaders like those participating in this workshop.”
