This year, marking the 23rd anniversary of the World Knowledge Forum in Seoul, Korea, speakers and audiences gathered both offline and online from September 20 – 22 to discuss various agendas under the theme of “Supercompensation: Restoring Global Prosperity & Freedom.”
The World Knowledge Forum (WKF) was founded in October 2000 after two years of preparation based on the ambition to transform Korea into a knowledge-driven nation. Since then, the World Knowledge Forum has played the role as a platform for active discussions with the aim of reducing knowledge gaps through knowledge sharing and to promote balanced global economic growth and prosperity. A total of approximately 5,188 global speakers and 55,860 audiences have participated since the first forum in 2000 that was held under the theme of “Shaping the New Millennium with Knowledge,” and the WKF has now become one of the biggest knowledge-sharing events in the world.
David Cameron, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; Paul Krugman, Distinguished Professor at City University of New York; John Bolton, Former National Security Advisor; Ray Dalio, Founder of Bridgewater Associates; Francis Fukuyama, Professor at Stanford University; Joseph Nye, Professor at Harvard University; Maria Ressa, CEO of Rappler (2021 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate); John Taylor, Professor at Stanford University; Bob Sternfels, Global Managing Partner of McKinsey & Company; Mark Read, CEO of WPP; Ben Nelson, Chancellor at Minerva University; Min Jin Lee, Author of ‘Pachinko’; and many other world-renowned speakers participated in the World Knowledge Forum 2022 and grace the occasion with their presence.
CAPS was well represented at the event – tasked with planning and participating in two sessions and participating in an additional six panel discussion sessions:
1) Economic Weaponry: Economy, Trade, and Energy as Security Means
-The Western world’s economic sanctions against Russia are examples of the use of the economy as a means of security. In particular, in a situation where countries around the world are deeply connected with international trade due to globalization, there have been many cases in which the economy has been used as a means of resolving diplomatic frictions between countries.- How effective is the use of economy and trade as a security measure? What are the impacts?- Is the world ready for energy to be used as a tool for foreign policy and security?Moderator: General Gerber, Chairman of Board, CAPS
Panelists:
1. Hon. Philip Dalidakis Former Parliament member
2. Professor Greg Kennedy, King’s College London
3. Mr. Roy Kamphausen, President of the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR)
2) The Future of the ROK-U.S. Alliance– As the world enters the new Cold War era, the ROK-US alliance is becoming more important than ever. Since the establishment of the new government, South Korea has been making efforts to strengthen the ROK-US alliance. Korea’s geopolitical position could benefit both Korea and the United States.- What are the potential risks that may arise around the Korean Peninsula?- What are the priority tasks to be solved in order to strengthen the ROK-US alliance?Moderator: Hee-Eun Kim, President & CEO, CAPSPanelists:1. Mr. David Maxwell, Senior Fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracy2. Mr. Heino Klinck, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia, Pentagon
CAPS Invited Speakers’ Sessions:
1. The Future of Global Security After the Ukraine War– Russia’s invasion of Ukraine escalated a sense of crisis not only in Europe but also in other parts of the world. Discussions on NATO’s role in Europe will also affect security issues in other regions. In particular, lively discussions on security such as QUAD and AUKUS are taking place in East Asia.- How will NATO’s role change after the Ukraine war?- What are the implications and impacts of NATO’s expanded role in global security?- How will security cooperation in East Asia take place?Moderator: Hyun-Wook Kim (Korea National Diplomatic Academy, Professor)Panelist:1. Chad Sbragia (Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China)2. Milo Jones (Changing Character of War Centre, Pembroke College, Oxford, Leading analyst/strategist)3. Reince Priebus (The 27th White House Chief of Staff, Chairman of the Republican National Committee (2011-2017))4. Thierry de Montbrial (Institute for International Relations(IFRI), Founder and Executive Chairman)
2. North Korea ProvocationsSince the inauguration of a new government in South Korea, North Korea has continued provocations against the United States and South Korea. It is interpreted that these provocations are not only for North Korea to be recognized as a nuclear weapons state, but also for its intention to escape from economic sanctions.- What is North Korea’s intention for provocation and how should the international community respond?- What will North Korea’s next move be after the provocation?Moderator: Won-soo Kim (Kyung Hee University, Rector of the Global Academy for Future Civilizations)Speakers:1. David Maxwell (Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Senior Fellow)2. Urs Gerber (Center for Asia Pacific Strategy (CAPS), Chairman of Board)3. Robert Einhorn (Brookings, Senior Fellow)
3. China after the Pandemic– The 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party is to be held at the end of 2022. This will be an opportunity to strengthen and take firm root of President Xi Jinping’s political position in China. China is also expected to intensify its efforts to reinforce its position in the global community.- What message will China send to the international community after the 2022 party congress?- Will China maintain its partnership with the international community?Moderator: Jae Cheol Kim (Catholic University of Korea, Professor of International Studies)Speakers:1. Chad Sbragia (Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China)2. Philip Dalidakis (Former Victorian Minister for Innovation & the Digital Economy, Trade & Investment and Small Business)
4. East Asian Security Updates: Quads, AUKUS, and ASEAN– Amid growing concerns about the new Cold War, security in East Asia is entering a new phase. East Asia is a region bordered by powerful countries including the United States, China, Russia, and Japan. It is also an area where geopolitical issues such as the China-Taiwan tensions and provocations from North Korea are constantly occurring.- How is the East Asian security undergoing changes?- Can QUAD and AUKUS be a variable in East Asian security?- What role does ASEAN play in the Asian region’s security?Moderator: Miyeon Oh (Johns Hopkins University, Director and Senior Faculty Lead, Korea Studies)Speakers:1. Greg Kennedy (King′s College London, Professor)2. Heino Klinck (Pentagon, Former DASD for East Asia)3. Victor Cha (CSIS, Senior Vice President for Asia and Korea Chair)
5. A New Approach to Korea-Japan Relations: Strategic Cooperation– The conflict between Korea and Japan over past issues has continued for years. It is uneasy to overcome and solve this problem as too many things are complicatedly intertwined in the Korea-Japan relations. However, a turning point between the two countries is expected with the inauguration of the new President in Korea.- In what aspects should Korea and Japan maintain strategic cooperation?- What are the prerequisites for Korea and Japan to open a new future?Moderator: Hee-Eun Kim (Center for Asia Pacific Strategy (CAPS), Founder, President & CEO)Speakers:1. Michael. J. Green (United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, CEO)2. Yukiko Fukagawa (Waseda University, Professor)3. Yul Sohn (Yonsei University, Professor of the Graduate School of International Studies)
6. Threat to a Hyper-connected Society: Cyber Security Technologies Challenges– The contact-free trend triggered by Covid-19 has accelerated digitalization around the world. Thanks to digitalization, an individual’s life has become more comfortable; at the same time, however, it is more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Companies and governments always have to be ready to act against cyber-attacks. With the rising importance of cyber security, it is no surprise that cyber security startups are garnering attention. Cyber security experts including Tamir Pardo, a former Director of the Mossad, the national intelligence agency of Israel, talk about cyber security startups in Korea and their cyber security technology.Moderator: Jong In Lim (School of Cybersecurity of Korea University, Distinguished Professor)Speakers:1. Denys Han (GITSN, CEO)2. Eran Fine (Nanolock Security, Co-founder & CEO)3. Milo Jones (Changing Character of War Centre, Pembroke College, Oxford, Leading analyst/strategist)
