A Thematic Framework for the Evolution of Public Diplomacy in South Korea

In the latest issue of CPD Perspectives on Public Diplomacy, Yun Kyung Kim, assistant director of The Korea Foundation, examines the development of public diplomacy in South Korea, highlighting how political goals and domestic factors have shaped its evolution. In A Thematic Framework for the Evolution of Public Diplomacy in South Korea, Kim introduces a thematic framework across different historical periods by tracing South Korea's public diplomacy from its early stages within traditional diplomacy to Korea’s emergence as a strategic soft power. The research reveals that South Korea’s public diplomacy has served as a mechanism for advancing political objectives, including international recognition, economic growth, and global advocacy of democratic values. 

Guest edited by CPD Faculty Fellow Professor Nicholas Cull, the paper also demonstrates how internal political dynamics—such as administrative shifts and public sentiment—directly impact South Korea's public diplomacy strategies. This analysis underscores the correlation between the state’s political objectives and diplomatic activities, suggesting a comprehensive framework for understanding South Korea’s public diplomacy within broader geopolitical and cultural contexts.

Download the full text here.