Introduction: From Contractor to Architect When the Kaesong Industrial Complex was shut down in February 2016, it was widely described as a failure. Commentators spoke of naïveté, of a misguided “Sunshine Policy,” of South Korean idealism exploited by a ruthless
The Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC) made an interview with Dr. Mehmet Fatih Oztarsu, Deputy Director of the Seoul Institute of Global Affairs (SIGA). – The 2025 became a turning point in the normalization of relations between Baku and Yerevan,
At the heart of Nepal’s transformation from a monarchy to a federal republic lies the Nepalese Civil War. The underlying causes of this conflict were a divide between the political elites and the general population, who felt increasingly excluded from
Few would have imagined a decade ago that India and Armenia would one day stand as visible strategic partners. For years, their ties were cordial but peripheral, overshadowed by larger powers and deeper alliances. Armenia, scarred by its vulnerability in
In 2025, the first EU–Central Asia Summit took place amid intensifying global competition, emphasizing the EU’s efforts to strengthen ties through connectivity, economic diversification and access to critical raw materials. Key regional concerns—including migration, sanctions circumvention, and infrastructure gaps—were also
As Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan advance ambitious modernization strategies, their evolving relationship is becoming central to the future of Central Asia. Beyond reform indicators, the key issue is how the two states navigate complementarity and competition within an emerging regional architecture.
The U.S.-brokered peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, culminating in the creation of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), have triggered a sharp strategic reaction from Iran. The 20-mile corridor through Zangezur grants Azerbaijan direct access to
Turkey has decided to replace the term “Central Asia” with “Turkestan” in its national history curriculum. By using the term “Turkestan,” Turkey aims to realign itself with Central Asia while also evaluating the region from its own distinct geopolitical perspective. The new
In January 26, 2026, Professor Kim Bongchul, Direcrtor of the Seoul Institute of Global Affairs (SIGA), was awarded a Plaque of Appreciation by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Korea. The award was presented in recognition of his distinguished contribution
The Seoul Institute of Global Affairs (SIGA) is pleased to announce the publication of a new scholarly volume titled Emerging Partners of Central Asia: Engagement of Small and Middle Powers, edited by Mehmet Fatih Oztarsu and Bongchul Kim. The book
