Seeking Survival Strategies in the ‘Era of Self-Reliance’; John Hamre Korea Visit After Steppin...

[Main Title]

John Hamre Makes Visits Korea After Stepping Down as CSIS Chairman… Seeking Survival Strategies in the ‘Era of Self-Reliance’

[Sub-Title]

The 17th Edaily Strategy Forum to Be Held at The Shilla Seoul on June 16-17

John Hamre‘s First Official Overseas Appearance After 26 Years Leading CSIS

Global Think Tanks from CSIS to The Asia Group Gather in Seoul

VIPs from Various Sectors including Government Officials, Business Leaders, Diplomats to Attend

[Edaily Hee-na Oh, Edaily] The Iran war has accelerated the end of the efficiency-driven global free trade system. In an era where former allies increasingly turn into competitors in pursuit of national interests and global supply chains become “weapons” as tools of economic leverage, countries are being forced to prioritize their own survival. Against the backdrop of a profound geopolitical shift, where the world is fracturing along barriers of values and blocs beyond mere technological and wealth gaps, the world’s leading diplomatic, security, and global think tanks and scholars will gather in Seoul to discuss pathways forward.

John Hamre, Former Chairman of CSIS

Edaily will host the 17th Edaily Strategy Forum on June 16 and 17 at the Dynasty Hall of the Shilla Seoul, under the theme: “The Age of Power, Recasting Civilization : Who Designs the New World?” Now in its 17th year, the forum aims to provide a comprehensive examination of the turning points facing Korea amid intensifying U.S.-China strategic competition. Discussions will focus on national security and defense, finance and fiscal policy, and technological leadership, while exploring practical strategies for navigating an increasingly uncertain global landscape.

The first day will open with a keynote speech by John Hamre, Chairman Emeritus of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), one of the world‘s most prestigious foreign policy and national security think tanks. This visit holds special significance as it marks Hamre’s first official overseas engagement since stepping down from his 26-year tenure as CSIS Chairman and assuming the role of Chairman Emeritus. Having served as the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense during the Bill Clinton administration and spent decades advising Washington‘s policymakers on foreign affairs and national security strategy, his participation is expected to attract senior government officials, policymakers, corporate leaders, and members of the diplomatic community in Korea, creating a vibrant platform for global networking.

In his keynote speech, he will diagnose the evolving roles of major powers and middle powers in the intensifying U.S.-China hegemony competition and offer strategic directions for Korea to navigate a world increasingly shaped by isolationism and geopolitical fragmentation.

Rexton Ryu, President of The Asia Group (TAG); Thorsten Beck, Professor at the European University Institute; Noreena Hertz, Professor Emeritus at University College London (UCL) Institute for Global Prosperity; James Kim, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea.

The second day of the forum will feature a distinguished lineup of global strategists and academic leaders.

The opening keynote will be delivered by Rexon Ryu, President of The Asia Group and former Nonproliferation Director at the U.S. National Security Council (NSC). Under the theme “Security and Defense Strategy in the Era of Self-Reliance,” he will examine the growing trend of allies being asked to shoulder greater defense costs under an “America First” framework. He will also outline how cutting-edge technological assets and industrial foundations, including semiconductors and artificial intelligence, are becoming increasingly integrated into national defense systems, presenting a blueprint for next-generation defense strategies.

A session will also examine the “capital flows”, the lifeblood of the global economy, from a geopolitical perspective. Thorsten Beck, Professor at the European University Institute (EUI), and Kwan-ho Shin, Chairman of The Korea Money and Finance Association (KMFA), will diagnose risks facing the global financial system resulting from economic bloc formation and fragmentation. Their session will examine the evolving role of productive finance in an age of uncertainty and discuss how financial systems can support sustainable economic growth despite rising geopolitical tensions.

The forum will also welcome Noreena Hertz, Professor Emeritus at University College London (UCL) and author of the global bestseller ’The Lonely Century,‘ alongside Jiyoon Kim, Visiting Professor of Institute of East and West Studies at Yonsei University. Professor Hertz will propose survival strategies for the international community and corporations to pursue mutual prosperity in an era of extreme division driven by deglobalization, polarization, and digital isolation.

A particularly notable session will bring together James Kim, Chairman & CEO, AMCHAM Korea, and Kisoon Park Professor, former President of the Samsung Economic Research Institute (SERI) in Beijing. The two experts will provide candid assessments of Korea’s investment attractiveness and provide practical insights into supply chain diversification and risk management strategies that Korean companies should adopt amid intensifying U.S.-China competition.

The forum will also feature leading domestic and international experts and scholars who will offer realistic alternatives in on taxation, fiscal sustainability, monetary policy, and financial stability. Participants include: Alan Auerbach Professor, Economics, University of California, Berkeley and one of the world‘s foremost public finance scholars; Young Lee President of The Korea Institute of Public Finance (KIPF); Andrew Levin, Professor of Economics at Dartmouth College; Jin-il Kim Member of the Monetary Policy Board, Bank of Korea; In-cheul Cho Member of the National Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea); Young-Jun Chun Former President of The Korean Association of Public Finance (KAPF); Soo-Min Park Member of the National Assembly (People Power Party of Korea); Dong-hyun Ahn Professor of Department of Economics at Seoul National University; and Cynyoung Park Director, The South East Asian Central Banks(SEACEN).