This August, KDI School hosted the KDIS-Europe Summer School 2025 on Political Polarization. The five-day program ran from August 18 to 22 across the School’s Sejong campus and key sites in Seoul. It offered students a mix of academic exploration, cultural immersion, and policy dialogue.

The Summer School reflected KDIS’s mission to promote global knowledge exchange and strengthen ties between Korea and Europe. Political polarization is shaping democratic societies worldwide. The program aimed to give participants critical insights into the Korean case—its historical roots, current challenges, and policy implications. As Korea’s rapid economic development and democratic transformation continue to draw international interest, KDIS provided a platform for deeper understanding of how the country navigates complexity at home while contributing to global debates.

The program brought together 15 participants. They included KDIS students, both Korean and international, and students from European partners such as Hertie School, University College London, University of Sussex, INALCO, and other leading universities. This diverse group attended eight lectures, joined discussions, and visited institutions central to Korea’s democracy.

The theme of polarization was no coincidence. Korea has faced severe democratic tests in recent decades. From authoritarian legacies to mass protests, impeachment, and institutional reform, the country’s experience provided rich ground for comparison. Some of the student participants  said that they found lessons not only for Korea but for Europe as well.

The academic backbone of the Summer School consisted of eight lectures, guided by distinguished scholars and practitioners. Professor Lee Changkeun and Professor Kim Byoung-Joo, both experts in political science, framed the program by leading the opening and concluding sessions. They guided students through Korea’s political trajectory and broader implications for policymaking in divided societies. Other lectures addressed themes such as globalization and its backlashes, antifeminism, and the evolution of political opinion, ensuring a multidisciplinary perspective on polarization.

Guest speakers included Professor Kim Seoyoung of Seoul National University, who examined types of partisan animosity and possible mitigation strategies, and Kang Taeyoung, CEO of Underscore, who offered insights into the generational gender gap in Korean politics. 

The program emphasized critical engagement. Students began by presenting their individual research topics on the first day. By the final session, they reported on the answers they had derived and reflected on the insights gained through the week-long discussions.

A hallmark of the Summer School was its integration of cultural and institutional experiences. In addition to lectures, participants visited the Constitutional Court of Korea, where they observed firsthand how constitutional democracy functions in a polarized environment. They also toured HiKR GROUND, an innovative cultural hub, and took part in a powerful excursion to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), symbolizing Korea’s enduring division. Hands-on activities, such as making traditional Korean name stamps, added lighter moments of cultural discovery.

The KDIS-Europe Summer School was more than an academic exercise; it also served as a diplomatic and cultural bridge. By bringing together Korean and European students, the program fostered dialogue across regions that face similar democratic challenges but in different contexts. The exchange of perspectives enriched discussions and highlighted the value of comparative learning in addressing global issues.

This year’s participants, representing France, Belgium, the UK, Germany, and Korea, built professional and personal networks that will extend well beyond the program’s duration. As one student participant noted, “Discussing polarization in Korea helped me reflect on my own country’s divisions—and to see that solutions require both institutional resilience and cultural understanding.”

The KDIS-Europe Summer School 2025 on Political Polarization underscored the School’s mission to prepare the next generation of policy leaders with global perspectives and critical thinking skills. In an era where polarization increasingly shapes political discourse, KDIS offered participants an invaluable lens to examine not only Korea’s experience but also the shared challenges of democratic societies worldwide.

As KDIS continues to expand its international outreach, the Summer School stood out as a model for how academic institutions can bridge continents, foster dialogue, and equip students to lead in a fractured world.

https://kdischool.pixieset.com/2025summerschool/highlights/