KIEP has been holding the annual KAAS Conference since 2014 to spread essential findings in the area of regional studies and expand networks between domestic and foreign experts. This year marks the 10th edition of the event, which is organized by KIEP and is the only integrated academic conference for regional studies in South Korea, featuring participation from 19 domestic regional research societies.

During the event, more than 150 of Korea's top experts in world regional studies, including President Siwook Lee, Senior Vice President for External Affairs Chul Chung, Professor Jee-Hyeong Park at Seoul National University's Department of Economics, President Yul Sohn of the East Asia Institute, and Research Fellow Pyeong Seop Yang of the Chinese Regional Strategy Team at KIEP, discussed geopolitical challenges and Korea's responses in the changing world order in the era of economic security.

President Siwook Lee, in his opening remarks, explained that in a changing economic security paradigm, nations around the world find themselves in a situation where they need to reduce global risks and uncertainties while envisioning new alliances and competitions. He expressed his hope that this 10th academic conference would be a meaningful gathering for collecting new policy ideas and wisdom to actively respond to the era of economic security.

Following the opening session, a discussion took place on the theme of "Geopolitical Landscape in the Era of Economic Security," featuring Professor Jee-Hyeong Park at Seoul National University's Department of Economics, President Yul Sohn of the East Asia Institute, and Research Fellow Pyeong Seop Yang of the Chinese Regional Strategy Team at KIEP, who discussed the new geopolitical environment and response strategies in light of changes in the global economic order.

This year's event aimed to expand the scope of world regional studies and enhance networking among researchers. New participants included the Korea EU Society and the Korea European Studies Society.

In addition to the opening session, there were a total of 19 "branch sessions" and "academic successor sessions" organized by regional research societies, allowing for diverse and in-depth discussions on key current issues in various regional areas.

Notably, in the branch sessions, a total of 63 papers were presented, analyzing and discussing key issues of the economic security era in various fields, including trade and commerce, industry, politics, and diplomacy, as well as advanced industries (AI, digital), food, mineral resources, and energy in the context of economic security.

- Title: KIEP and Associations of Area Studies Conference (KAAS Conference)

- Topic: Geopolitical Landscape and Global Challenges in the Era of Economic Security

- Date & Time: October 20th, 2023, (Friday), 09:00-18:00

- Venue: El tower, Seoul

- Host: Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)

- Contact: Bandi Kang, Senior Researcher of the Center for Area Studies (bdkang@kiep.go.kr)