Summer School 2026 <Contemporary Europe> Session 13 > Summer School at KU

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On July 15, the one of the final sessions of the summer course was held. Research Professor Joohyun Go delivered a special lecture on Korea–EU relations, examining how the partnership has evolved from a trade-oriented relationship into a comprehensive strategic partnership in response to an increasingly complex global security environment. Students learned about the European Union’s role as a global actor, its foreign policy decision-making process, and the growing importance of cooperation between Korea and the EU in areas such as trade, technology, energy, and defense.

The lecture also explored the impact of contemporary geopolitical crises—including the war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, and global energy disruptions—on Korea–EU relations. Students examined how these interconnected challenges have strengthened bilateral cooperation through initiatives such as the Security and Defense Partnership, the Digital Trade Agreement, and joint efforts to enhance supply chain resilience, economic security, and energy cooperation. The session highlighted the increasing convergence of European and Indo-Pacific security, particularly in light of North Korea’s growing military cooperation with Russia.

In addition, participants discussed the European Union’s approach toward the Korean Peninsula, focusing on its policy of "critical engagement" with North Korea and its continued emphasis on denuclearization, human rights, and regional stability. The lecture concluded by emphasizing the growing strategic interdependence between Korea and the European Union, demonstrating how cooperation between like-minded middle powers can contribute to preserving international stability, economic resilience, and the rules-based international order in an era of compounding global crises.