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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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East Asia Caught Between Washington and Beijing
Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are opting for de-escalation in the tariff dispute with the United States. Europe should take note of East Asian democracies’ behavior: it finds itself in a similar dilemma.
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“Fighting Starts When Talking Stops”: The South China Sea Conflict in the Light of a New US Foreign Policy
Donald Trump's second term in office is causing unrest in the Pacific. Many countries bordering the South China Sea fear that US support will wane and that China's behaviour could become even more aggressive. Will Trump's isolationism also affect the Indo-Pacific region, giving China ‘free rein’?
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Cyber and Cognitive Warfare in the Digital Age
What does warfare look like in 2025? For students gathered at Chung-Ang University in Seoul on April 10, the answer was clear: it’s no longer just tanks and missiles, but also algorithms, disinformation, and digital sabotage.
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Impeachment in the Name of Democracy
South Korea’s Constitutional Court unanimously removed President Yoon Suk-Yeol from office. He had declared martial law, but had failed. New elections are to be held. They offer the opportunity to defuse the political crisis.
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7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Devastates Myanmar and Thailand, Thousands Feared Trapped
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake shook Myanmar and Thailand, killing over 1,600 people. International aid is on the way, but damaged infrastructure is hampering rescue and supply measures.
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Global Power Struggles: Implications for the Korean Peninsula
Trump's second term has disrupted global politics. Just like in Europe, there are significant concerns in South Korea that Trump might bypass allies – particularly regarding US policy towards North Korea. FNF Korea and Hanyang University explored in a panel discussion the potential impacts of geopolitical shifts on the Korean Peninsula.
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Dual Uncertainty: The Return of Trump Amid Korea’s Political Turmoil
South Korea is facing a political crisis and is confronted with the unpleasant foreign policy of U.S. President Trump. A study by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom warns of a weakening of deterrence against North Korea and potential tensions ahead of new negotiations between Trump and Kim Jong Un.
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AI in Public Administration – Lessons from EU and Korea
The unstoppable rise of AI already reached official institutions, opening up new possibilities to achieve diverse advantages, especially in terms of efficiency. At the same time, AI brings risks that must be addressed. South Korea as well as the European Union (EU) and its member states gained their first experiences with the implementation of AI in public administration, set different focuses and ultimately drawn their own conclusions.
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The Future of Local Communities through AI: Connecting Innovation
On November 28, 2024, KLID and FNF Korea successfully hosted the "3rd Global Forum for Local Digital Innovation and Governance" at Chavit, SomeSevit in Seoul. Under the theme "The Future of Local Communities through AI: Connecting Innovation," the forum brought together key figures to present digital policies from various countries for local governments with a focus on the use of digital technologies such as cloud, AI, and etc. for solving regional issues.
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The Dark Shadow of AI: Deep Fake Porn and Gender Bias
On October 21, 2024, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Korea office, in collaboration with social cooperative Parti, the German Embassy in Seoul, and Goethe-Institut Korea, hosted a panel discussion event, “The Dark Shadow of AI: Deep Fake Porn and Gender Bias,” at the Goethe-Institut Korea. This event brought together experts, activists, and the public to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, gender, and digital rights.
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New Ties between North Korea and Russia
Since the start of the war of aggression, Moscow and Pyongyang have grown significantly closer. A new FNF study analyzes these increasingly close military and economic ties—and recommends a counter-strategy for the West.
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What Trump Could Mean for Korea – and for the Balance of Power in East Asia
A new policy paper by the foundation analyzes the possible Korea policy of former President and current candidate Donald Trump. Author Mason Richey considers a rapprochement between Trump and Kim likely – and warns of a nuclear arms race in East Asia.
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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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Elli’s Experience at FNF Korea
Elli’s Experience at FNF Korea (Intern from June - July 2024)
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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.
Focus
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