When power and authority fall short, dialogue, empathy, and strategic thinking pave the way toward sustainable solutions.

Meet the Professor Behind the Class

At KDI School, students are not only learning about policies and how to make them, they are learning also how to shape them through meaningful dialogue. Associate Dean Professor Dong-Young Kim, a leading expert in public dispute resolution, is the mind behind the course Dispute Resolution and Negotiation, a class designed to equip future policymakers with essential tools to navigate conflict.

His journey into this field began with a stark realization: in the U.S., 80% of environmental policies failed in the 1980s due to legal conflicts. “That environment became a catalyst,” says Professor Kim, who later pursued his Ph.D. at the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

As South Korea faced its own policy conflicts during democratization, the relevance of negotiation and consensus-building became even more pressing. In democratic societies, conflict is inevitable. However, conflict doesn’t have to be destructive, it can be an opportunity for innovation and inclusion, he explains.

More Than a Course, A New Way of Thinking

This course is not about theory alone. It challenges students to rethink deeply held beliefs, like the idea that authority or legal rights are the best ways to settle disputes. We need leaders who can listen, empathize, and find shared solutions.

To foster this, the course uses action learning through role-play simulations. Students step into real-life scenarios, representing different stakeholders, negotiating under pressure, and reflecting on diverse outcomes. It’s in these moments that they discover their “a-ha” insights, the moments that stick with them for life. “This deepens their understanding of the importance of assumptions, strategies, and skills in negotiation.”, emphasizes Professor Kim.

“Competencies for negotiation, mediation, and consensus building are comprehensive ones that require not only the use of the brain, strategic and rational judgment, analytical thinking, and creative ideas, but also the use of what is often called the “second brain,” the heart,” he explained. The course also highlights emotional intelligence, encouraging students to not only analyze stakeholder interests but to practice active listening, manage tension, and understand the power of non-verbal communication. Students learn that the key to effective leadership lies not just in having the right answers, but in asking the right questions and creating space for mutual understanding.

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Public Conflict

Public managers often fall into the “DAD” trap: Decide, Announce, Defend, a method that may seem efficient but often backfires. Worse, when stakeholder engagement is shallow or symbolic, conflicts escalate rather than resolve.

Also, when engaging with citizens or stakeholder groups, it is often “tempting for government officials to rely on a rights-based approach that focuses on determining who is right or wrong based on existing laws, rather than seeking creative solutions that address the underlying interests of those involved”, he mentioned. 

Through this course, students learn how to:

- Identify real interests behind positions

- Engage stakeholders meaningfully

- Design inclusive conflict resolution processes

- Practice win-win negotiation in multi-party settings

Empowering the Next Generation of Global Leaders

This course aligns strongly with KDI School’s mission of nurturing leaders who can think globally and act responsibly. In today’s interconnected world, students will return to their countries not just as policy experts, but as facilitators of change. Whether working in government, international organizations, or NGOs, their ability to build consensus and resolve disputes will define their success.

Many students leave the course with a sense of transformation. They report applying negotiation techniques in their internships, projects, or even personal lives. The tools taught in class - identifying interests, reframing issues, and managing group dynamics - become part of their leadership toolkit.

In a world where polarization, mistrust, and top-down governance models are being questioned, KDI School graduates equipped with collaborative skills have a critical role to play.

Five Words That Define the Course

According to Professor Kim, if he had to describe the course in five words, they would be: Win-win, Life-long learning, Sustainability, Leadership, A-ha moments.

Each word captures a key element of what this course offers: a transformative shift in how future leaders think, communicate, and collaborate across differences.

Final Message to Aspiring Policymakers

“Mastering competencies to resolve disputes through win-win negotiation is a key to be a facilitative, collaborative leader. Just one semester-long course does not guarantee such a mastery. This course is a starting point for your life-long exercise and learning,” said Professor Kim. 

Indeed, one semester might plant the seed, but it is  what students continue to practice beyond the classroom that will shape the policies and communities of tomorrow.

Take the Next Step

Want to become a leader who inspires collaboration and builds sustainable solutions?

Explore Professor Kim’s Dispute Resolution and Negotiation class at KDI School.