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The second annual convening of the Trans-Pacific Sustainability Dialogue will gather social science researchers and scientists from Stanford University and across the Asia-Pacific region alongside young leaders, policymakers, and practitioners, to expedite energy security solutions, investment, and policy support. Held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on September 12-14, 2023, the dialogue features award-winning actor and director Cha In-pyo as honorary ambassador.

The Center offers a suite of fellowships for Asia researchers to begin in fall quarter 2024. These include postdoctoral fellowships on Asia-focused health policy, contemporary Japan, and the Asia-Pacific region, postdoctoral fellowships and visiting scholar positions with the Stanford Next Asia Policy Lab, and fellowships for experts on Southeast Asia.

Housed within the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, the lab will pioneer evidence-based policy research to help Asian nations forge pathways to a future characterized by social, cultural, economic, and political maturity and advance U.S.-Asia dialogue.

In his new book, Gi-Wook Shin explores the challenges and possibilities for Korea's democracy and national vision for its future development.
We are thrilled to welcome seven outstanding scholars supported through our multiple fellowship offerings, including postdoctoral fellowships on Japan, Korea, and contemporary Asia, the Lee Kong Chian Fellowship on Contemporary Southeast Asia, and APARC's Predoctoral Fellowship and Diversity Grant.

Hallyu Entertainers and Korean Studies Scholars Explore the Future of South Korea’s Pop Culture
In the fifth installment of a series recognizing the 40th anniversary of Stanford’s Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, the Korea Program gathered scholars and notable speakers from the Korean film industry, including screenwriter Ji Eun Park and actor Byung Hun Lee. The half-day conference provided an opportunity to consider the future of the Korean wave of popular culture, or hallyu, and its global implications.

Depopulation is a concern shared by Japan and South Korea. Immigration of high-skilled labor could be a solution for mitigating it. In this regard, Japan SPOTLIGHT interviewed Prof. Gi-Wook Shin, who is working on a new research initiative seeking to examine the potential benefits of talent flows in the Asia-Pacific region.
Biden needs South Korean support for U.S. geopolitical efforts, whereas Yoon hopes to resolve contentious domestic issues with support from Biden.
Gray Skies Ahead
Prospects for Korea’s Democracy

Video Interview: Gi-Wook Shin Discusses the Economic and Geopolitical Implications of Mobile Talent
APARC and Korea Program Director Gi-Wook Shin joins Gita Wirjawan, a visiting scholar at the Center and host of the “Endgame” video podcast, to share his work on the ways in which countries in Asia and elsewhere can address brain drain, discuss the influence of soft power on South Korea's evolution, and consider the threats posed by demographic and democratic crises to the country’s future.
Koreans Should "Just Look Up"

Ambassador Jung-Seung Shin, the Winter 2023 Payne Distinguished Fellow, offered insights into the dynamics of the trilateral U.S.-China-South Korea relationship, the impacts of the great power competition between the United States and China on South Korea, and the prospects for enhanced Korea-U.S. collaboration.

Research by Stanford health economist Karen Eggleston, the director of APARC's Asia Health Policy Program, offers evidence on the link between medical spending and health outcomes in South Korea, showing how the country can benefit from developing a “satellite account for health” to promote high-value innovations for longer, healthier lives.

The time has come to depoliticize North Korean human rights. South Korean progressives have argued that working to improve human rights in North Korea threatens to worsen inter-Korean relations and makes addressing security threats difficult, but the Moon administration failed to make progress in security or relations despite sidelining human rights. The Yoon administration should work on multilateral approaches to address the state of human rights in the North and reach a domestic bipartisan consensus on the issue.
Look South
Opportunities for Korea-India Relations

To support Stanford students working in the area of contemporary Asia, the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Center is offering research assistant positions for the duration of the 2023 summer quarter, a predoctoral fellowship for the duration of the 2023-24 academic year, and a Diversity Grant that funds research activities by students from underrepresented minorities.

A Conversation with Francis Fukuyama on the Challenges of a Changing Global Order

Demographic Headwinds
Demographic Headwinds
Can Korea Avoid Japan’s Lost Decade?
This fall, APARC brought together scholars and policy experts to examine the security competition that has come to define an era from the perspectives of Asian nations.

Sponsored by Stanford University’s Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, the annual award recognizes outstanding journalists and journalism organizations for excellence in coverage of the Asia-Pacific region. News editors, publishers, scholars, and organizations focused on Asia research and analysis are invited to submit nominations for the 2023 award through February 15.

Co-organized by Stanford’s Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center and the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future, the inaugural Trans-Pacific Sustainability Dialogue brought together a new network of social science researchers, scientists, policymakers, and practitioners from Stanford University and across the Asia-Pacific region to accelerate action on the United Nations-adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Walking a Tightrope
As U.S.-China tensions escalate, Korea must chart a new path.

Despite obstacles and risks, there are good reasons why South Korea should want to increase deterrence against China. In a new article, Center Fellow Oriana Skylar Mastro and co-author Sungmin Cho chart an optimal strategy for Seoul to navigate the U.S.-China rivalry and support efforts to defend Taiwan.

In China, Xi Jinping Is Getting an Unprecedented Third Term. What Should the World Expect?
Xi's plans are long term and unlikely to shift, but he can now be more aggressive than before in their pursuit.