Seoul
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) promotes democracy, human rights, economic freedom, and curbing climate change. Our South Korea project is focused on forward-looking topics such as smart cities and the 4th industrial revolution. The North Korea project organizes capacity-building programs in environmental planning and water management. We work with the Center for Local Autonomy, Hanyang University (CLA), Korea Local Information Research & Development Institute (KLID), and many other local partners. Should you have questions or suggestions about our work, please contact us. You can also meet our team here.
News
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Korean-German-ASEAN Smart City Forum
On September 5, 2024, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and the Goyang Industry Promotion Agency hosted the "Korean-German-ASEAN Smart City Forum" at KINTEX as part of the World Smart City Expo 2024. The forum brought together experts from South Korea, Germany, and ASEAN nations to explore sustainable smart city models focusing on mobility innovations and climate resilience.
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Sustainable Mobility and Accessible Cities
In the series “Global Citizen Dialogue: Sustainable Cities, Inclusive Futures,” the second seminar was held on July 25, 2024, at the POSCO Center in Seoul. The joint event by Friedrich Naumann Foundation Korea and POSCO TJ Park Foundation was concerned with the topic of “Sustainable Mobility and Accessible Cities,” exploring strategies for a sustainable transformation in public transportation infrastructure.
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Data Protection in the Era of AI – 2024 Digital Platform Series
The third seminar of the 2024 Digital Platform online seminar series, focusing on “Data Protection in the Era of AI”, took place on July 18, 2024. This seminar series, co-organized by FNF Korea and the Korea Local Information Research & Development Institute (KLID), aims to enhance the digital capacity and capabilities of local governments and related institutions in the region.
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Music versus Garbage
North Korea sends garbage-filled balloons, South Korea answers with resounding K-pop. The bizarre situation on the Korean peninsula seems ridiculous but is threatening. A military incident is becoming more likely.
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A.I. for the Public Sector – 2024 Digital Platform Series
The second seminar of the "Digital Empowerment – 2024 Digital Platform" series, focusing on "AI for the Public Sector," took place on May 30, 2024. This seminar series, co-organized by FNF Korea and the Korea Local Information Research & Development Institute (KLID), aims to enhance the digital capacity and capabilities of local governments and related institutions in South Korea and the region.
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Why AI Regulation is so Difficult
At the AI Summit in Seoul, an interim status on the international report on the assessment of AI risks was presented. The paper, produced by 75 experts, shows that the development of AI is uncertain, even for the near future. This poses a major challenge for regulation.
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Does the World Still Need the West?
Does the World Still Need the West? This was the main question at the Geopolitical Talk which took place on May 20, 2024, at Seoul Youth Center Mapo in Seoul, South Korea. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Korea collaborated with Play Seed School, Seoul Youth Center Mapo and the South-North Korea Exchanges and Cooperation Support Association, to organize a discussion on current global issues and consequences.
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Elli’s Experience at FNF Korea
Elli’s Experience at FNF Korea (Intern from June - July 2024)
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Palaces for the People – An Urban Lab for the Cities & Communities of the Future
On May 17th, 2024, the second event of the 2024's Global Citizen Dialogue series took place in form of a day-long workshop called “Palaces for the People – An Urban Lab for the Cities & Communities of the Future”. FNF Korea, in collaboration with POSCO TJ Park Foundation, organized this workshop in order to give participants a platform to engage and interact with the important aspect of communal virtues in urban life.
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“An Attempt to Ease Tensions”
For the first time since 2019, a summit meeting between China, Japan and South Korea is scheduled for end of May. China's aggressive approach and Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine have increased tensions in East Asia. But the states are closely intertwined economically. The summit in South Korea's capital is intended to counteract increasing bloc formation. Freiheit.org spoke to Frederic Spohr, head of the Korea office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Seoul, about the background of the next meeting.
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Suicide in South Korea: “My friend, think about it one more time”
South Korea has by far the highest suicide rate among all OECD countries. With new measures, the government aims to save lives. However, a deeply rooted cause for the high number of suicides is challenging to eliminate: the immense societal pressure on individuals.
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Cities for All: Sustainable and Inclusive Cities
The first of three 2024 Global Citizen Dialogue seminars “Cities for All: Sustainable and Inclusive Cities” took place at the POSCO Center in Seoul on April 18th, 2024. The event focused on the dynamics of fostering inclusive and sustainable cities and aims to envision the future we will live in and explore the efforts needed to realize the future we desire.
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2024 Digital Platform series: 1st Seminar on “Digital Platform Government”
The first seminar of the Digital Empowerment – 2024 Digital Platform series, focused on "Digital Platform Government," took place on March 7, 2024. This seminar series, organized by FNF Korea and its partner Korea Local Information Research & Development Institute (KLID), aimed to explore the concept of a digital platform government and strengthen digital capacity and capabilities of local governments and related institutions.
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Kim Jong Un abandons the goal of peaceful reunification
The ruler sends aggressive warnings to South Korea and the United States at the turn of the year. He seems hardly interested in a dialogue with liberal democracies anymore. This marks a drastic break with decades of state doctrine and alarms South Korea. Instead, North Korea continues to turn towards Russia. This raises tensions on the Korean Peninsula to a new peak.
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Tough Schools
In PISA studies, South Korean students achieve top results. Nevertheless, the education system in the country is controversial. The immense pressure to achieve good results has led to a booming market for private tutoring, exacerbating social inequalities. This is especially evident in the test crucial for university admission.
