KF뉴스레터-Think Tank Support Program Prepares to Leap Forward

Think Tank Support Program Prepares to Leap Forward

Globalization is the catchword of today. There is no denying this trend and phenomenon of our times, which no one can easily rebut. This poses a new challenge that must be dealt with. We are not accustomed to seeing borders between states being removed, enabling resources, tangible and intangible, to freely flow from one country to another. We view a Hollywood blockbuster, eat Italian spaghetti, and listen to J-pop music. This new situation requires us to understand “them," who are from other countries and cultures. However, this is not the whole story. Globalization is not a one-way street. It involves two-way reciprocal relations and even multilateral interaction. Therefore, our efforts should not end at trying to learn about other cultures. With a one-way understanding, we will likely lose our way in the whirlwind of globalization.
Accordingly, what we need to do goes beyond understanding "others." We need to encourage others to understand our country and people, and we need to do more than what is "required." The more closely a pending issue is related to our interests, the more efforts are needed to do more than just "enough." The geopolitical circumstances of Korea, surrounded by such powers as the U.S., China, Russia, and Japan, make it all the more crucial for us to be properly understood. North Korea's nuclear crisis elevates the matter of being understood to that of an urgent imperative. This is the reason why we apprehensively pay such close attention to Washington's policy toward East Asia or Japan's efforts to transform itself into a "normal state." But this does not mean that we should feel restless and tense all the time. As emphasized above, we need to be more proactive and seek to be better understood. We need to do so in various ways and with multifaceted dimensions.
Moreover, we should strive not only to have ourselves understood by others but also to get them on our side. In this way, we will be able to take the initiative of globalization, the keyword of the times, and not simply be swayed by its influence. Surely, this is the way to help ease tension on the Korean peninsula and to become a hub of Northeast Asia.

Why Support Think Tanks?
Being aware of this development, the Korea Foundation has extended support to think tanks abroad since 1992. The Foundation has helped think tanks to conduct research, organize conferences and seminars, and publish materials, on subjects related to Korea. This was based on a belief that these efforts would contribute to raising the profile of Korea and promoting Korea-friendly attitudes among opinion leaders and policy-makers abroad. On the importance of think tanks, Richard Hass, former policy-planning chief of the U.S. State Department, wrote an insightful thesis entitled "Role of Think Tanks in Setting Up U.S. Foreign Policy." According to this paper, think tanks exert influence on foreign-policy planning and implementation in five ways.
First, a think tank presents creative ideas and alternatives in relation to policy decision-making. Second, it provides a pool of well-trained specialists for appointment to government office. Third, it provides an attractive forum for in-depth discussion. Fourth, it educates government officials on international society. And fifth, it offers formal procedures for mediation and conflict-resolution processes.
This can be viewed as confirmation of the Korea Foundation's justification to provide support to these research institutes that play such prominent roles in the formulation of policy initiatives. In fact, they have worked strenuously to analyze and offer suggestions for the issues and questions related to the Korean peninsula. With the help of such research efforts, the Foundation has contributed much to enhancing the stature of Korea abroad.

Past and Present
From 1992 and thereafter, the Foundation has extended its support to a total of 54 think tanks from 13 countries. These include the American Enterprise Institute, which has been praised by President Bush for its "top brains of America" Center for Strategic and International Studies, which is staffed with several former Clinton administration figures; Rand Institute, an unrivaled expert of security issues; Brookings Institution that is known for presenting timely policy recommendations based on supra-party interests; and International Crisis Group, which is frequently cited by the Korean media.
In an interview with the Foundation in May 2006, prominent American think tanks mentioned that KF sponsorship has made possible a number of Korea-related research projects now underway. This again demonstrates the value of the Foundation's efforts to support think tanks.
Over the past ten years, overseas think tanks have published 100 or so reports on Korea-related policy matters. In addition, the Foundation makes available these reports to local policy-makers and concerned parties, directly or indirectly. Meanwhile, the KF also gathers the published materials from think tanks, which are distributed to 30 public libraries and relevant organizations. This thus represents a crucial means to communicate with others and help us to be better understood by the international community.

Preparing for a Leap Forward
The Foundation's think tank support program takes on even more significance as tension escalates in Northeast Asia. Pending diplomatic issues affecting the interests of Korea seem to emerge on a daily basis. This situation places more importance and responsibility on the support program. While we reflect on current circumstances and our own efforts, we can also prepare for another leap forward. The Foundation is seeking to leap forward based on a process of self-reflection.
Currently, the KF is moving to revamp its think-tank program, which has been operated for the past ten years. The Foundation strives to devise more effective ways and methods of attaining the program's ives and maintaining cooperative relations with leading think tanks. The Foundation has retained a local research organization, which specializes in diplomatic and security matters, to conduct a program overview. Based on these findings, the Foundation will clarify its vision and goals for the think tank support program and implement better ways of doing business.
As such, the KF is searching for the means of becoming more proactive. Previously, the Foundation simply received applications and research proposals from concerned think thanks. Under the new approach, the Foundation will have sufficient discussions with domestic specialists about research subjects, so as to properly reflect the position of Korea in program initiatives. Thereafter, proposals will be solicited, from which qualified recipients would be selected. But, as with any major change for this kind of program, it is necessary to move forward with much caution.
The Foundation pursues ongoing efforts to transform itself, in line with thorough preparations and a focused determination. As globalization continues with its steady march, the Foundation seeks to continuously improve itself and bolster the diplomatic potential of Korea as well.