"Back to the Era Where Power Dominates… Korea Must Bind National Security and Technological...

[By Hee-na Oh, Edaily] “In an era where the logic of power dominates, Korea must strengthen its capability-based ‘strategic autonomy.’”

John Hamre, President of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

John Hamre, President of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), strongly emphasized this point in an interview ahead of the 17th Edaily Strategic Forum (ESF).

“As the international order returns to an era of great power politics dominated by the logic of power,” Dr. Hamre stated, “securing ‘strategic autonomy’ which binds national security, industrial strategy, supply chains, and technological leadership into a unified front, has emerged as a critical task for a nation‘s survival.”

John Hamre is a leading U.S. expert in foreign affairs, national security, and defense budgeting, and has served as President and CEO of CSIS, one of the world’s premier think tanks, since January 2000. Before joining CSIS, he served as the 26th U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, managing key defense policy operations. Notably, from 1993 to 1997, he was the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), where he supervised defense budgeting, execution, and management reform programs, contributing significantly to the efficiency of U.S. defense administration. In 2007, he was appointed Chairman of the Defense Policy Board (DPB) by U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, advising four consecutive Secretaries of Defense and playing a pivotal role in shaping U.S. national security policy. Backed by his extensive public service and academic insight, he is widely regarded as one of America‘s prominent leader in foreign affairs and national security policy.

Hamre identified the Russia-Ukraine war and the U.S.-Iran war as the two most decisive variables that will shape the global order over the next one to two years. “The war in Ukraine is fundamentally reshaping the European Union, while the war involving Iran could trigger a global economic recession. While there is much talk about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) transforming the world, that will happen in a much more gradual manner.” He diagnosed and further stressed, “While maintaining its alliances, Korea must also strengthen the capacity to proactively reflect its own strategic interests during the realignment of international norms and industrial orders.”

Hamre will deliver the keynote speech on the first day of the 17th Edaily Strategy Forum, for June 16-17 at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul under the theme: “The Age of Power, Recasting Civilization : Who Designs the New World?” Edaily Strategy Forum, hosted by the comprehensive media group Edaily, is regarded as one of Korea’s premier knowledge event.

This year‘s forum will feature prominent global leaders and scholars including Hamre, Lexon Ryu (President of The Asia Group), Noreena Hertz (Honorary Professor at UCL and author of The Lonely Century), Thorsten Beck (Professor at the European University Institute), Shin Kwan-ho (President of the Korean Financial Association), and Kim Ji-yoon (Visiting Professor at Yonsei University), among others.

They will diagnose the structural risks Korea faces amid great power competition and explore new opportunities. Beginning with Dr. Hamre’s keynote address, this year‘s forum will feature an elite lineup of global leaders and domestic and international scholars, including Rexon Ryu, President of The Asia Group; Noreena Hertz, Honorary Professor at University College London (UCL) and author of The Lonely Century; Thorsten Beck, Professor at the European University Institute and renowned expert in growth finance; Kwanho Shin, President of the Korea Money and Finance Association; and Jiyoon Kim, Visiting Professor at Yonsei University’s Institute of East and West Studies. Together, they will examine the structural risks Korea faces amid great power competition and explore new opportunities.