[KS] Monash Beyond Borders Korean Studies Seminar Series 2026

[Sandy Nguyen]

Dear KS list members, happy new year and I hope you are well! Please note
the following seminar events organised by Monash University Korean Studies
Research Hub. Registration details are also included below. Hope to see you
there.

Many thanks,
Sandy.

_____________

*Monash University Korean Studies Research Hub (MUKSRH) presents:*




*Monash Beyond Borders Korean Studies Seminar Series 2026Seminar 1*


*'South Korea’s Decade of Living Dangerously: Navigating Economic Coercion
without Middlepowermanship, 2016–26'*


Dr Alexander Hynd (University of Melbourne)



  Room 221, Learning & Teaching Building (LTB), Clayton VIC 3168 [in-person
event]

19th March, 2-3pm (Melbourne time)



*Abstract:*There is widespread consensus among scholars and policymakers
that South Korea is a middle power. According to the middle power
behavioural image, Korea should be expected to embrace strategies including
multilateralism, coalition building, niche diplomacy, and good
international citizenship. But is this actually how the country behaves?

In this seminar I will examine Korea’s recent experiences as a target of
economic coercion by more powerful states: China, the US, and Japan. What
challenges did Korea face in each case, and through what strategies did it
respond?

I will argue that Korea’s ability to withstand sustained pressure in each
of these cases supports narratives of its rise ‘from shrimp to whale.’
However, its strategic responses have been a poor fit with the popular
behavioural image of middle powers. And nor are South Korea’s strategies
comparable to those enacted by authoritarian great powers like China,
autarkic ‘rogue states’ like North Korea, or minor powers like the Solomon
Islands. Instead, I argue, we see in the South Korean case something quite
different: compromise without capitulation in the face of the great powers
– the US and China – and retaliation without direct escalation against
Japan. Put together, analysis of these cases complements and further
develops a growing body of scholarship that is critical of the middle power
behavioural image.


*Bio: *Alexander M. Hynd is Lecturer at the University of Melbourne's Asia
Institute, and Deputy Director of the Master of International Relations. He
frequently writes about South Korean foreign policy, with research
interests in international hierarchies, economic statecraft, and
‘inbetweener’ states. Alexander is currently finishing up a book about how
Korea, Indonesia and Australia ‘became’ middle powers.

Register here <https://forms.gle/gaKcxnWVN3xEMAAL8>.

__________________




*Monash Beyond Borders Korean Studies Seminar Series 2026Seminar 2*


*'Korean Film-Induced Tourism: Socio-cultural and Economic Impacts'*


Prof Sam (Seongseop) Kim (The School of Hotel and Tourism Management at Hong
Kong Polytechnic University)

  via ZOOM

2nd April, 2-3pm (Melbourne time)



*Abstract:*His presentation is entitled “Korean Film-Induced Tourism:
Socio-cultural and Economic Impacts”. His presentation mainly deals with
three famous Korean TV dramas which attracted numerous international
tourists to Korea and affected TV drama audience countries. It also
portrays international tourists’ activities or behavior in film screened
destinations. It will be a good way to understand a beginning of Hallyu
(Korean Wave) through three Korean TV dramas.


*Bio: *Prof Kim received his MSc and PhD in Recreation, Park and Tourism
Sciences from Texas A&M University in 1996 and 1999, respectively. He is
currently a Professor in the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The
Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He is one of the most prolific authors in
the hospitality and tourism field. He is a recipient of Lifetime Research
Achievement Award in 2024 (ICHRIE and ICOT).

Register here <https://forms.gle/7SCcZKxBQf3ru3Xw8>.


Please contact Monash University Korean Studies Research Hub Coordinator Ms
Sandy Nguyen for further details.Sandy.Nguyen1 at monash.edu
<Sandy.nguyen1 at monash.edu>


__________________

Kind Regards,

Sandy Nguyen

*MUKSRH Coordinator*

Website: Monash Korean Studies Research Hub
<https://www.monash.edu/arts/languages-literatures-cultures-linguistics/korean-studies-research-hub>

Facebook: MonashUniKorean <https://www.facebook.com/monashunikorean.edu/>

Twitter: @MonashUniKorean <https://twitter.com/MonashUniKorean>
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