South Korea's academic kompromat
The revolving door between academia and government in South Korea has become a security risk that nobody wants to admit
In South Korea, there is a revolving door between academia and government service - senior government service. The phenomenon is historically and culturally embedded and very much a part of modern Korea. Look at any modern South Korean cabinet or the senior echelons of any ministry, and you will find an inordinate number of individuals who hold doctorate degrees.
In foreign affairs, over recent years they’ve held a wide range of positions: foreign ministers, deputy-ministers, vice-ministers, director-generals, deputy director-generals, ambassadors, and more. These individuals are quite often former professors and/or soon to be professors.
Academics are recruited into government service for both their knowledge, and as could be expected in Korea, their connections and influence.
An academic specializing in an emerging issue, with multiple publications and a public profile of expertise, could be recruited at a high level to demonstrate to the public that the government has the capacity to …