Junotane Korea

Junotane Korea

Share this post

Junotane Korea
Junotane Korea
South Korea's academic kompromat
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Commentary

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

Oct 23, 2024
∙ Paid
2

Share this post

Junotane Korea
Junotane Korea
South Korea's academic kompromat
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Share

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 …

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Jeffrey Robertson
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More