Seoul
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) promotes democracy, human rights, economic freedom, and curbing climate change. Our South Korea project is focused on forward-looking topics such as smart cities and the 4th industrial revolution. The North Korea project organizes capacity-building programs in environmental planning and water management. We work with the Center for Local Autonomy, Hanyang University (CLA), Korea Local Information Research & Development Institute (KLID), and many other local partners. Should you have questions or suggestions about our work, please contact us. You can also meet our team here.
News
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Suicide in South Korea: “My friend, think about it one more time”
South Korea has by far the highest suicide rate among all OECD countries. With new measures, the government aims to save lives. However, a deeply rooted cause for the high number of suicides is challenging to eliminate: the immense societal pressure on individuals.
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Cities for All: Sustainable and Inclusive Cities
The first of three 2024 Global Citizen Dialogue seminars “Cities for All: Sustainable and Inclusive Cities” took place at the POSCO Center in Seoul on April 18th, 2024. The event focused on the dynamics of fostering inclusive and sustainable cities and aims to envision the future we will live in and explore the efforts needed to realize the future we desire.
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2024 Digital Platform series: 1st Seminar on “Digital Platform Government”
The first seminar of the Digital Empowerment – 2024 Digital Platform series, focused on "Digital Platform Government," took place on March 7, 2024. This seminar series, organized by FNF Korea and its partner Korea Local Information Research & Development Institute (KLID), aimed to explore the concept of a digital platform government and strengthen digital capacity and capabilities of local governments and related institutions.
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Thailand plans to recognize Same-Sex Unions
While parts of Southeast Asia have vibrant LGBTQ communities, offering sanctuary to many, the absence of legal recognition for same-sex couples is a disparity. In 2024, hopes are high for a breakthrough as Thailand contemplates the passage of a same-sex marriage bill.
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Kim Jong Un abandons the goal of peaceful reunification
The ruler sends aggressive warnings to South Korea and the United States at the turn of the year. He seems hardly interested in a dialogue with liberal democracies anymore. This marks a drastic break with decades of state doctrine and alarms South Korea. Instead, North Korea continues to turn towards Russia. This raises tensions on the Korean Peninsula to a new peak.
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Tough Schools
In PISA studies, South Korean students achieve top results. Nevertheless, the education system in the country is controversial. The immense pressure to achieve good results has led to a booming market for private tutoring, exacerbating social inequalities. This is especially evident in the test crucial for university admission.
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Liberal Human Rights Work 2023
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) contributes to improving the situation with more than 60 offices around the world, not only in the fight against impunity, but also in the promotion of women's rights and diversity, among other things. The Foundation supports human rights education for human rights defenders, activists and their partners around the world. This report shows just a sample of the FNF's liberal human rights work in 2023.