• Date: June 18^th, Tuesday, 2019 15:30-18:30
• Location: SNU Asia Center Yongwon Hall (Room 210)

An election is the most important system in democracy. Public opinion revealed through an election shows all types of social issues and conflicts while suggesting a direction to a better future. The three Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines) held elections in the first half of this year, and the result of the election was mostly in favor of the ruling party of each country. However, it is not clear that electoral results of each country will solve social conflicts and become a forwarding step for integration. While the ruling party appreciates the result and seeks to use it as a driving force for running a country, opposition parties and civil societies who voice their concern for authoritarianization and decline of democracy of their countries, mentioning their unacceptance of the result or vote rigging.

On the other side, the electoral result of major countries of New Southern Region is highly significant for South Korea to reevaluate the achievements from the New Southern policy and its direction. One and a half year has passed since the Moon administration has announced the New Southern Policy, but its fruit is not apparent yet. Raising the ASEAN countries and India as a new partner for cooperation beyond the foreign policy limited to the four great powers (the US, China Russia, and Japan) was notable. However, the most part of cooperation is currently limited to economic cooperation, thus a balanced approach towards a vision, “A community of peace and prosperity centered on people” is nowhere to bee seen.

A shift to long-term perspective based on integrative understanding of the region, not an approach focused on short-term result, is required for the New Southern policy to have an actual impact. Therefore, Korean Social Science Research Council and SNU Asia Center holds a seminar to analyze current situation of the three countries of Southeast Asia and India, shown from elections and to generate implications for the New Southern policy. We hope that this seminar will become a chance to review political dynamics of the major countries and to discuss directions for democratic cooperation for peace, that speaks compassion and sustainability, beyond economic cooperation.