Seoul
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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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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Human Rights Defender: Pro-Democratic Activists
Announcing our new publication - Human Rights Defenders - featuring pro-democratic activists, including Chu Chen from Taiwan and Ray Wong from Hong Kong and their fight for freedom and democracy.
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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.
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Data Protection in the Era of AI – 2024 Digital Platform Series
The third seminar of the 2024 Digital Platform online seminar series, focusing on “Data Protection in the Era of AI”, took place on July 18, 2024. This seminar series, co-organized by FNF Korea and the Korea Local Information Research & Development Institute (KLID), aims to enhance the digital capacity and capabilities of local governments and related institutions in the region.
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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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Music versus Garbage
North Korea sends garbage-filled balloons, South Korea answers with resounding K-pop. The bizarre situation on the Korean peninsula seems ridiculous but is threatening. A military incident is becoming more likely.
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A.I. for the Public Sector – 2024 Digital Platform Series
The second seminar of the "Digital Empowerment – 2024 Digital Platform" series, focusing on "AI for the Public Sector," took place on May 30, 2024. This seminar series, co-organized by FNF Korea and the Korea Local Information Research & Development Institute (KLID), aims to enhance the digital capacity and capabilities of local governments and related institutions in South Korea and the region.
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Does the World Still Need the West?
Does the World Still Need the West? This was the main question at the Geopolitical Talk which took place on May 20, 2024, at Seoul Youth Center Mapo in Seoul, South Korea. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Korea collaborated with Play Seed School, Seoul Youth Center Mapo and the South-North Korea Exchanges and Cooperation Support Association, to organize a discussion on current global issues and consequences.
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Why AI Regulation is so Difficult
At the AI Summit in Seoul, an interim status on the international report on the assessment of AI risks was presented. The paper, produced by 75 experts, shows that the development of AI is uncertain, even for the near future. This poses a major challenge for regulation.
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Palaces for the People – An Urban Lab for the Cities & Communities of the Future
On May 17th, 2024, the second event of the 2024's Global Citizen Dialogue series took place in form of a day-long workshop called “Palaces for the People – An Urban Lab for the Cities & Communities of the Future”. FNF Korea, in collaboration with POSCO TJ Park Foundation, organized this workshop in order to give participants a platform to engage and interact with the important aspect of communal virtues in urban life.
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“An Attempt to Ease Tensions”
For the first time since 2019, a summit meeting between China, Japan and South Korea is scheduled for end of May. China's aggressive approach and Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine have increased tensions in East Asia. But the states are closely intertwined economically. The summit in South Korea's capital is intended to counteract increasing bloc formation. Freiheit.org spoke to Frederic Spohr, head of the Korea office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Seoul, about the background of the next meeting.
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Suicide in South Korea: “My friend, think about it one more time”
South Korea has by far the highest suicide rate among all OECD countries. With new measures, the government aims to save lives. However, a deeply rooted cause for the high number of suicides is challenging to eliminate: the immense societal pressure on individuals.
