1. The Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) will hold “the 2018 IFANS (Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security) Conference on Global Affairs” at the KNDA, Seoul, on December 12 under the theme of “New Horizons in Korean Diplomacy: Challenges, Issues and Responses in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

2. Over the past 70 years, the Republic of Korea implemented diplomacy in a way that helped the country wisely overcome ceaseless challenges posed by the outside world, better serve its national interests, and enhance its international standing. Innovative changes brought about recently by what is dubbed the fourth industrial revolution call for a change in perception in various areas, including political and social affairs as well as economy at home and abroad. Furthermore, a fundamental challenge has been posed to the previous dynamics between countries, the liberal international political stance, and the economic order built upon these.

3. The upcoming 2018 round of “the IFANS Conference on Global Affairs,” an annual forum held by the KNDA’s IFANS, will be held in the form of international meeting under the theme of “New Horizons in Korean Diplomacy.” The participants will discuss in depth changes in international political affairs, security and economy brought by the fourth industrial revolution, seeking the way forward for the ROK’s diplomacy and contributing to  the establishment of preemptive diplomatic strategies.

4. The forthcoming Conference will kick off with opening remarks by KNDA Chancellor Cho Sei-young, welcoming remarks by Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, congratulatory remarks by Adviser to the President for Science and Technology Moon Mi-ok and a keynote speech by a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Johns Hopkins University Alec Ross.

5. The KNDA’s IFANS will use the forthcoming Conference to enhance cooperation with leading scholars in the field at home and abroad; to gather and analyze various views and outlooks of academic circles, continuously contributing to the establishment of proactive diplomatic strategies in response to a new issue, the fourth industrial revolution.

* unofficial translation