South Korea’s Public Diplomacy during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

Since COVID-19 swept across the world in early 2020, countries have sought international leadership and models to stem the tide of new infections. South Korea’s relative success in managing the pandemic at home as well as help extended abroad has garnered global recognition, which the government has used to bolster the country’s status. Through public diplomacy initiatives such as the #StayStrong and TRUST campaigns, the unfortunate circumstances of the pandemic have catalyzed South Korea’s efforts to be seen as a responsible authority in global governance. However, continuing to build on this momentum after the pandemic is over will require incorporating key lessons learned into the country’s public diplomacy strategy.

Please join KEI and scholar Kadir Jun Ayhan for a discussion on what South Korea’s public diplomacy strategy during the pandemic has accomplished, how this compares to the period immediately before COVID-19, and takeaways for how South Korea’s public diplomacy strategy should be formulated beyond the pandemic.