Vivek
Sharma, New Delhi, August 21, 2026: The 27th World Korea Forum 2026 concluded
in New Delhi following two days of discussions on Korea-India relations,
geopolitical and geoeconomic changes, the Indo-Pacific, the Korean Peninsula,
international security, economic cooperation, diaspora, culture and
possibilities for future international cooperation.
The
forum was held on 19–20 August 2026 at Sir Shankar Lal Concert Hall, University
of Delhi, and was organised by the Department of East Asian Studies, University
of Delhi, in collaboration with the Korea Global Foundation. Professors,
researchers, scholars and experts from India, South Korea, China, Russia,
Italy, Spain, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and the United Kingdom were
listed in the programme for the various discussions.
The
inaugural session featured remarks by Prof. Yogesh Singh, Vice Chancellor,
University of Delhi, including points concerning possibilities for India-Korea
cooperation in technology, education and research. These included possible
joint technology programmes, semester exchanges for students, joint PhD
supervision and joint research laboratories. His remarks also referred to the
role of universities, laboratories, industries, government policies,
entrepreneurship and research investment in developing such an ecosystem.
H.E.
Lee Seong-ho, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India, spoke about the
longstanding relationship between Korea and India and the expansion of
cooperation across different fields. His address also stressed cooperation and
solidarity among countries in dealing with changes in the international
environment, and expressed the hope that the forum would contribute to
Korea-India cooperation, peace and prosperity.
Dr.
Euy Don Park, President of the Southwest Asia Chapter Council, Peaceful
Unification Advisory Council (PUAC), and Chair of the 2026 27th New Delhi World
Korea Forum, highlighted India's significance as a strategic partner for peace
and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the wider Indo-Pacific. His
message identified dialogue, mutual trust and cooperation as important
foundations for lasting peace.
Prof.
(Dr.) Ranjana Mukhopadhyayaya, Head of the Department of East Asian Studies, in
her welcome address, referred to the forum against the backdrop of rapid
geopolitical, economic and technological developments in the Indo-Pacific. Her
address highlighted the importance of dialogue, academic cooperation and
international collaboration in responding to regional and global challenges.
The
message of Prof. Dr. Tshangchu Rhee, Executive Head of the Korea Global
Foundation, highlighted K-culture's role in generating international interest
and cooperation. His message also emphasised dialogue, exchange and cooperation
for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula and the importance of
discussions on peace and inter-Korean relations.
Several
sessions focused on the Korean Peninsula and the security environment in
Northeast Asia. The programme included discussions on denuclearisation, nuclear
self-reliance, inter-Korean relations, US-DPRK relations, North Korea's ties
with China and Russia, and India's interests and strategic role on the Korean
Peninsula.
Peace,
reconciliation and Korean unification were also among the subjects discussed.
Sessions examined the role of multilateral groups and the Global South, India's
perspective on Korean unification, economic engagement between the two Koreas,
common security and prospects for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
The
forum also addressed broader changes in the international order, including the
role of great and middle powers in the Indo-Pacific, Indian and Chinese
perspectives on global developments, relations involving India, the European
Union and emerging powers, and possible reforms in global governance
mechanisms.
Economic
sessions covered economic security, fair trade, the political economy of BRICS
and the Global South, Korea-India economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific era,
ASEAN political economy, and economic cooperation involving Russia and the
DPRK.
The
programme further included discussions on the Korean community and diaspora,
Korean diaspora literature, Indian diaspora and transnationalism, diasporic
Koreans and their ethnic homeland, and Korean communities in Central Asia.
Cultural and intellectual sessions addressed Rabindranath Tagore, Indian
philosophy, culture and civilisation, K-Culture, K-Philosophy, migration and
South-South cooperation, and the Gandhi-Nehru political philosophy framework.
The
two-day programme thus covered a wide range of discussions relating to
geopolitics, security, economy, diplomacy, culture and diaspora, with
Korea-India relations and wider international developments forming important
areas of discussion.
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