Shin’s Reflections on Korea

A monthly series of essays by Gi-Wook Shin about contemporary issues in Korea, published by Sindonga (New East Asia), Korea’s oldest monthly magazine.

Portrait of Gi-Wook Shin

Gi-Wook Shin is the director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center and the William J. Perry Professor of Contemporary Korea in the Sociology Department and the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. He is the author/editor of 25 books, including South Korea's Democracy in Crisis and Ethnic Nationalism in Korea. Explore more of his analysis of the future of Korean democracy.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during the 104th Independence Movement Day ceremony on March 01, 2023 in Seoul, South Korea.

Gray Skies Ahead: Prospects for Korea's Democracy

The decline of South Korea's democracy has probably bottomed out, but the country's leaders must take multiple steps to get it in recovery, including reforming institutuions and addressing underlying socioeconomic conditions.

Sebitseom islets, on the Han River in Seoul, Korea, flooded during the 2020 monsoons.

Koreans Should "Just Look Up"

Gi-Wook Shin argues that South Korea must act now to ensure that its climate, energy, and economic policies are ready to face the climate crisis, which is already upon us.

A North Korean defector, now living in South Korea, prepares to release balloons carrying propaganda leaflets denouncing recent North Korea's nuclear test, near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on September 15, 2016 in Paju, South Korea.

The Urgency of Addressing North Korean Human Rights

South Korea's Yoon adminstration should depoliticize the issue of human rights and work to reach a domestic bipartisan consensus on ways to move forward and improve the situation in North Korea.

The IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE) co-founder Kanwal Rekhi speaks in an office, next to a shelf of books.

Look South

South Korea has much to learn from the successes of India's overseas diaspora in catalyzing economic growth.

Two elderly male South Korean job seekers fill out job applications at an elderly persons' job fair in Seoul, South Korea.

Demographic Headwinds

If Korea is to overcome its demographic crisis, it is vital to formulate policies and strategies to attract and utilize highly skilled talent from abroad.

President Yoon Suk-yeol sits at a lunch table at the G20 Summit in Nusa Dua, Indonesia

Walking a Tightrope

As U.S.-China tensions escalate, Korea must establish a framework to address foreign policy issues in a non-ideological, non-partisan manner that garners broad public support.

A university building lobby with people sitting and talking.

Why Korea’s Future Depends on its Universities

As it pursues educational reforms, the Yoon administration must remember that the country’s future depends on its universities.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol waves a national flag during the celebration of the 77th National Liberation Day at Presidential House on August 15, 2022 in Seoul, South Korea.

The Path Ahead for Yoon

Amidst a global crisis of leadership, President Yoon could learn from his mistakes and elevate Korea as a staunch defender of democracy. The choice is his to make.

Members of K-pop band BTS speak at a press briefing at the White House.

Will Hallyu Swell to a Tidal Wave? Korea's Future as a Cultural Superpower

The Korean Wave, which has unique characteristics and continues to evolve in intriguing directions, could become a first mover on the global cultural scene.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks on the government supplementary budget at the National Assembly on May 16, 2022 in Seoul.

Beyond Representation: How Diversity Can Unleash Korea’s Innovation

A social and corporate culture that values and enforces conformity surely cannot be a wellspring of creativity and innovation. Korean society must find a new source of vitality. Enhancing diversity to stimulate innovation and change could be the answer.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the South Korean parliament via video link.

Korea Should Join Its Peers in Defending the Liberal International Order

o successfully chart a safe course for South Korea in its foreign relations, the Yoon Suk-Yeol government must be highly attuned to the twists and turns of today’s geopolitical undercurrents.

Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during a press conference

In Troubled Waters: South Korea’s Democracy in Crisis

This essay evaluates the decline of South Korea’s democracy over the past 10 years from a comparative perspective and provides an outside view of the historic tasks facing the Yoon administration as it prepares to set sail.