We are pleased to share that Jiwon Bang (MA '24, East Asian Studies) and Jong Beom "JB" Lim (MS '25 Computer Science; BAS '24 International Relations and Mathematical  Computational Science) are the co-recipients of the 13th Annual Korea Program Prize for Writing in Korean Studies. Bang is recognized for her thesis, "Multidimensional Diplomacy: The Evolution of the Pacific Pact and the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of Korea, 1948-1953." Lim is recognized for his thesis "Navigating Asymmetry: Leadership Preferences and Foreign Policy Outcomes in U.S. Security Allies."

"Jiwon meticulously examines the historical origins and evolution of the 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK), says Gi-Wook Shin, Professor of Sociology and William J. Perry Professor of Contemporary Korea. "Disputing the conventional view that the Treaty was a direct response to the outbreak of the Korean War (1950-1953), she uncovers its roots and complex processes extending back to pre-war discussions in 1948. Her study provides a nuanced understanding of the early Cold War security dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region and has contemporary relevance. By drawing on lessons from the Pacific Pact's failure, her thesis offers insights for contemporary regional security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region." 

"JB marshals detailed comparative case studies of policy debates over the last two decades in South Korea and the Philippines, augmented by semi-structured interviews of several dozen elites involved in foreign policymaking in the two countries," says Kenneth Schultz, William Bennett Munro Professor of Political Science. "The cases show how alternation in power between leaders from different parties fundamentally altered the tenor of bargaining with the United States and the approach to dealing with domestic opposition. The result is a compelling argument, elegantly and persuasively written. Not only does [this thesis] present an incisive analysis of a key dilemma facing South Korean leaders, but it situates this case in a comparative context alongside the Philippines. It also provides timely insights into the challenges of alliance management and makes a nuanced contribution to the scholarly literature on domestic politics and international bargaining."

View more information about Jiwon Bang's paper.
For more information about JB Lim's paper.

Sponsored by the Korea Program and the Center for East Asian Studies, the writing prize recognizes and rewards outstanding examples of writing by Stanford students in an essay, term paper, or thesis produced during the current academic year in any discipline within the area of Korean studies, broadly defined. The competition is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Past Recipients:

12th Annual Prize (2023)
11th Annual Prize (2022)
10th Annual Prize (2021)
9th Annual Prize (2020)
8th Annual Prize (2019)
7th Annual Prize (2018)
6th Annual Prize (2017)
5th Annual Prize (2016)
4th Annual Prize (2015)
3rd Annual Prize (2014)
2nd Annual Prize (2013)
1st Annual Prize (2012)

"Gender has emerged as a force of political polarization in South Korea in the recent decade and Yoojung’s thesis explores the reasons for its emergence," notes Gi-Wook Shin, Director, Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, William J. Perry Professor of Contemporary Korea and Professor, Department of Sociology. "It is an important scholarly contribution, as in it, Yoojung illuminates how the case of South Korea challenges conventional scholarly wisdom, which posits that women are primarily responsible for gender gaps in electoral behavior as modernization has led to liberal attitudes among women. Yoojung instead investigates the male experience – ironically understudied in discussions on gender – and demonstrates that instead of women, in South Korea, it is men that drive the gender gap."

Lee contextualizes her thesis: "On May 10, 2022, Yoon Seok-yeol was inaugurated as the 20th president of South Korea. His victory, however, was hardly a landslide: the conservative candidate won by a mere margin of 0.73% after securing core support among young male voters. Meanwhile, most young female voters opted for the Democratic candidate Lee Jae-myung.

Many salient explanations about the origin of gender differences in voting currently exist in literature. The review of the literature suggests that variations in the electoral gender gap over time have been a direct product of changes in female political judgements. However, such an interpretation underplays the role and viewpoints of men.”

Lee further elaborates, “my thesis attends to the overlooked male experience. It uses the Korean General Social Survey (2003 – 2021) to determine whether 1) Korean men have become more conservative in their partisan preferences and 2) these right-leaning tendencies are correlated with higher unemployment. The results of my logistic regression ultimately demonstrated that the belief in an enduring modern gender gap by virtue of female progressivism is misplaced, since Korean men, markedly disaffected by their economic conditions, have been giving more support to the conservative parties. In light of these findings, it would certainly be interesting to look at whether unemployment is a salient source of gender cleavage in other countries."

Sponsored by the Korea Program and the Center for East Asian Studies, the writing prize recognizes and rewards outstanding examples of writing by Stanford students in an essay, term paper, or thesis produced during the current academic year in any discipline within the area of Korean studies, broadly defined. The competition is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Past Recipients:
11th Annual Prize (2022)
10th Annual Prize (2021)
9th Annual Prize (2020)
8th Annual Prize (2019)
7th Annual Prize (2018)
6th Annual Prize (2017)
5th Annual Prize (2016)
4th Annual Prize (2015)
3rd Annual Prize (2014)
2nd Annual Prize (2013)
1st Annual Prize (2012)

The April 10 parliamentary elections in South Korea resulted in a landslide victory for the liberal opposition, dealing a resounding setback to President Yoon Suk Yeol and his ruling conservative People Power Party. While the liberal Democratic Party fell short of achieving a super majority, the outcome reflects pervasive public discontent with Yoon's administration amid economic challenges and political controversies, placing Yoon in a difficult position for the remainder of his three-year term.

“In a sense, this was a rematch between President Yoon and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, whom Yoon defeated in the 2022 presidential race by a razor-thin margin, and Lee won in a big way,” explains Stanford sociologist and APARC Director Gi-Wook Shin. “Now the Democratic Party really became Lee’s party.”

Shin, the William J. Perry Professor of Contemporary Korea and the director of the Korea Program at APARC, joined the Korea Society for a livestreamed election analysis session. Watch it here:

The election outcomes reflect the increased political division and polarization gripping South Korea, which is poised to be a major issue for Korean politics in the coming years, Shin notes. Shin has written extensively about the roles of illiberalism, populism, and polarization in the decline of Korean democracy and their implications for Korean society and politics.

“I have said before that Korea is facing a crisis in democracy. Now I can say that Korea is also facing a crisis in political leadership,” he tells Korea Society Policy Program Officer Chelsie Alexandre.

In this session, Shin explores in detail what the election results mean for Korea’s political, economic, and social policy, its alliance with the United States, and its relations with regional states.

Shin has also contributed to election analysis in national and international media.

Reboot of Adversarial Politics

South Korean voters’ verdict on the Yoon government’s performance reflects deep disappointment and even resentment about some of his policies and leadership styles, Shin shares with Bloomberg News. As the opposition holds a large majority in the National Assembly, Yoon appears destined to complete his remaining three years in office as a lame duck, unable to push for any major policy initiatives, domestic or foreign. We should expect a reboot of adversarial politics in South Korea as the opposition looks to obstruct Yoon’s legislative agenda, Shin predicts. 

Voter turnout for the parliamentary elections reached 67 percent, marking the highest turnout for general elections in 32 years. Liberals expressed discontent with the government by sending a strong message through voting, while the ruling conservative party tried to mobilize its supporters to minimize losses. Ultimately "there were no major policy debates between the ruling and main opposition parties," says Shin in an interview with Singaporean public broadcast service CNA.

Shin anticipates the Democratic Party will likely contest Yoon's stance toward Tokyo and Washington. Speaking with French international news agency AFP, Shin explains the potential return of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who held high-profile but unsuccessful summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his presidency, could add to the tension. If Trump were to reengage with North Korea, then the Yoon government would have to decide whether to shift from its hardline policies against the North or risk friction between Washington and Seoul, Shin says.

The election outcomes could also hinder the Yoon government’s momentum for improving ties with Japan, especially since Japanese Prime Minister Kishida, too, is facing low domestic approval ratings, Shin tells The Korea Herald. "It is unfortunate for the Korea-Japan relationship that both leaders are politically struggling."

Despite facing legal issues, controversial opposition leader Lee Jae-myung remains a leading contender for the presidency when Yoon's term ends in 2027, echoing the situation with former U.S. President Donald Trump, he tells AFP.

Gender and Generational Gaps

The parliamentary election has also brought to relief the tremendous underrepresentation of women and young people in Korean politics. Only 20% of parliamentary seats are held by women, and over 85% of elected members are over the age of 50. The older establishment and the conservative People Power Party have failed to connect with South Korea's young people, Shin says. While the country is a global cultural force and excelling in semiconductor exports, South Korea’s younger people are facing intense competition in education, limited job prospects, and soaring housing prices. “The lack of understanding of the challenges the youth face is contributing to the country's rising generational conflict,” Shin explains via AFP.