Participants of the Inaugural Strategic Dialogue hosted by the International Policy Studies Institute (IPSI) and Hungary’s Danube Institute pose for a group photo before the event begins at the Korea Military Academy in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of IPSI

Security developments in Europe and East Asia are becoming increasingly intertwined in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, experts said at the Inaugural Strategic Dialogue in Seoul last week.

Participants said the war had accelerated debate over whether to view crises in different regions as part of a broader strategic environment rather than isolated regional challenges. They also pointed to growing pressure from the United States for allies to assume greater responsibility for their own defense, as well as expanding opportunities for Europe-Asia cooperation in fields such as defense and advanced technologies.

The discussion took place at the Korea Military Academy, where the International Policy Studies Institute (IPSI) and Hungary’s Danube Institute jointly hosted the event, titled “Changing Dynamics of Geopolitics in Europe and East Asia: Assessing Constraints and Opportunities for Cooperation.”

Hong Kyu-dok, president of IPSI, said the forum was intended to promote deeper exchanges between experts from Europe and Asia as geopolitical risks continue to grow.

“This forum aims to provide an important platform for dialogue and cooperation between the two regions,” Hong said in his opening remarks.

Istvan Szerdahelyi, Hungary’s ambassador to Korea, also attended.

In his welcome address, Hyun In-taek, former unification minister and chairman of IPSI, said the international security environment has entered a period of growing uncertainty.

“The situation today is becoming more volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous,” Hyun said, emphasizing the importance of dialogue among policymakers and scholars.

Park Jae-jeok, a professor at Yonsei University’s Graduate School of International Studies, said conflicts in different regions are becoming more closely linked.

Source: Korea Times News