Special Lecture and Panel Discussion on “Decoding South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy”

The Korea Centre, SIRP, MGU, Kerala, in collaboration with CEAS, SIS, JNU, organized a special lecture and panel discussion on “Decoding South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy: Implications for India-Korea Relations” on March 3, 2023, at the School of International Studies, JNU. The event aimed to foster dialogue and enhance understanding of South Korea’s Indo-Pacific strategy and its implications for India-Korea relations.

The event commenced with welcome remarks by Prof. Srikanth Kondapalli, Dean of SIS, who emphasized the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific region and the need for greater cooperation between India and South Korea. Dr. Jitendra Uttam, Assistant Professor at CEAS, SIS, provided the introductory remarks, highlighting the significance of India-Korea relations and the strategic opportunities for both nations in the region.

The meeting was chaired by Prof. Alka Acharya, Chairperson of CEAS, SIS, who introduced the speakers and guided the proceedings. Mr. Lim Sangwoo, Minister at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in New Delhi, delivered a special address, explaining the evolution of Korea’sKorea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy emphasizing South Korea’sKorea’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region and its desire to strengthen ties with India. He also highlighted various initiatives and areas of cooperation between the two countries. As the Coordinator of the MOFA Task Force that was tasked to write Korea’sKorea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, Mr. Lim’s perspective on the subject has been very insightful.

The special lecture was given by Prof. Choe Wongi, Professor and Head of the Center for ASEAN and Indian Studies at Korea National Diplomatic Academy, Republic of Korea. Prof. Choe provided an in-depth analysis of South Korea’s Indo-Pacific strategy, its objectives, and its implications for India-Korea relations. He discussed the strategic convergence between India and South Korea and the potential for collaboration in areas such as security, trade, infrastructure, and technology.

Following the special lecture, a panel discussion was held featuring Cmde. Abhay Singh, Research Fellow at MP-IDSA, Dr. Cho Choongjae, Director of Delhi Office, KIEP, Dr. Sudhakar Vaddi, Assistant Professor, CEAS, JNU, and Dr. Jojin V. John, Assistant Professor at SIRP, MGU, Kerala. The panelists engaged in a lively discussion, exploring various aspects of the Indo-Pacific strategy and its implications for India-Korea relations. They also discussed potential challenges and opportunities for both countries in the region.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Jojin V. John, who expressed gratitude to the speakers, panelists, organizers, and attendees for their valuable contributions and insights. The special lecture and panel discussion provided a platform for fruitful dialogue and increased understanding of South Korea’s Indo-Pacific strategy and its implications for India-Korea relations, paving the way for enhanced cooperation and engagement between the two nations in the future.