Online Discussions
South Korea as a Study Destination: Navigating Challenges and Embracing Opportunities
🎤 Speaker: Kyuseok Kim (KS)
🎙️ Moderator: Arya Prasad
🗓 Date: 17 November 2024
🕚 Time: 3:30 PM IST
📎 Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/uyv-doyf-wqk
Kyuseok Kim (KS) is the inaugural Center Director for IES Abroad Seoul, where he oversees the strategic, academic, and operational management of the Seoul Center, fostering meaningful collaborations with local institutions and supporting the study abroad experience of international students.
KS brings a wealth of expertise in strategic planning, student recruitment, international relations, and business development across both public and private sectors. His professional journey includes key roles at UWAY Co., Ltd., M Square Media, the State University of New York's Korea campus, and Sungkyunkwan University.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, KS is currently advancing his academic pursuits as a doctoral candidate in Educational Administration and Higher Education at Korea University. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Sungkyunkwan University and a Bachelor of Arts in English Language Education from Korea University.
KS's selection as a Fulbright Scholar within the International Education Administrator program underscores his dedication to global education. As a scholar-practitioner, he actively contributes to his field by authoring research papers and opinion pieces for respected international and South Korean publications.
Date: 10 November 2025
Time: 7:30 PM (IST)
Title: North Korea at a Crossroads: Human Rights, Military Alliances, and the Quest for Unification
Joining Link: https://meet.google.com/tam-khvz-obr
Speaker: Hyun Seung Lee
Hyun Seung Lee is a North Korean escapee and human rights advocate. With an extensive background in international business and military affairs in North Korea, he has contributed to the U.S. government and policy community as a consultant. Hyun Seung has held numerous positions, including a Lead Strategist at the Global Peace Foundation and an advisory role at the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK). His career prior to defecting in 2014 involved significant roles in the North Korean shipping and mining sectors, facilitating trade between North Korea and China, and serving as a sergeant in the DPRK Army Special Force. He was granted membership in the Korean Workers’ Party and served as Chairman of the Kim Il-sung Socialist Youth League in Dalian, China. His defection was compelled by severe governmental purges. Hyun Seung is a frequent contributor to media platforms like Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, and NK News. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Trade and Economics from Dongbei University in China and a Master’s in Public Administration from Columbia University.
Speaker: Seo Hyun Lee
Seo Hyun Lee is a committed human rights advocate and cybersecurity professional from North Korea. She completed her Master of International Affairs with a focus on Cybersecurity at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Seohyun has led intelligence initiatives and consulted on educational content at Lumen and North Korea Human Rights Watch. She has received prestigious scholarships from the Bush Foundation, and has been acknowledged by the South Korea Ministry of Unification for her contributions. Fluent in Korean, Mandarin, and English, Seohyun excels in cross-cultural communication and is dedicated to influencing global policy and supporting the North Korean people through her advocacy work.
Moderator: Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma is a Research Assistant with ORF’s Strategic Studies Programme, specializing in security and geopolitical developments in the Indo-Pacific, with a particular emphasis on Northeast Asia. Previously, he worked as a Research Associate at the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS). He has held positions as a Non-Resident Kelly Fellow with Pacific Forum and a NASC Fellow with the Takshashila Institution. A 2021 graduate in International Relations from South Asian University, Abhishek’s insights have appeared in numerous publications, including the Lowy Institute, Nikkei Asia, East Asia Forum, The Diplomat, NK News, South Korea Pro, and the South China Morning Post (SCMP). Additionally, he has contributed to peer-reviewed journals.