Professor John Ikenberry (second left) delivering his opening lecture

On July 16, 2026, renowned political scientist G. John Ikenberry gave a lecture on the future of the liberal international order at Kyung Hee University (KHU) Seoul Campus. Hosted as part of the Global Academy for Future Civilizations (GAFC) “Special Lecture Series,” the lecture was moderated by Kim Won-soo, rector of GAFC, and featured a panel discussion with Prof. Kim Sung-han, former National Security Advisor to the President of the Republic of Korea, and Prof. Chung Jong-pil, professor at the Dept. of Political Science and International Relations. Describing himself as “nearly the last person on earth who is going to defend the liberal international order,” Prof. Ikenberry expressed cautious optimism about its future, arguing that although the order is currently facing a crisis, global society will likely find a new pathway toward cooperation and coexistence.

About Prof. John Ikenberry

G. John Ikenberry is the Albert G. Milbank Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University. Widely regarded as one of the world's foremost scholars of international relations, he is best known for his research on the liberal international order and the role of international institutions, democracy, and multilateral cooperation in promoting global stability. Prof. Ikenberry’s connection with the KHU community dates back more than a decade, when he was appointed as the University’s first Global Eminence Scholar. He is also a current member of KHU’s Miwon Peace Prize Selection Committee.

Defending Liberalism Against Rising Tide of Fragmentation

Prof. Ikenberry opened his lecture by discussing the liberal international order, which has been a central focus of his academic career. For 80 years, the liberal international order, which is a framework of alliances and institutions designed to be open and rule-based, has guided global affairs. However, with its traditional anchor—the United States—now “actively undermining that order,” nations around the world have been thrown into a state of “strategic uncertainty.” “The breakdown of the international system has everyone asking basic questions,” the speaker noted, framing the current dilemma as a choice between two potential futures: a “Yalta world” or a “San Francisco world.” A Yalta-style future, referencing the 1945 agreement that carved up spheres of influence, would see the globe fragment into competing blocs. In contrast, a “San Francisco world,” named for the city where the UN Charter was signed, represents a recommitment to multilateralism and cooperative problem-solving to address shared global crises. Despite these growing pressures, Prof. Ikenberry remained optimistic that the liberal order can be renewed. He argued that while nationalist politics have gained influence, international cooperation remains the most practical and effective way to manage an increasingly interconnected world. “My hope is that the underlying rationality of a cooperatively organized international order still outweighs the more nationalist, ideological interests,” he concluded, leaving the audience to ponder whether logic or nationalism will shape the future.

The “Special Lecture Series” Continues

The lecture marked the second event in the “Special Lecture Series,” following a lecture by former UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova on June 29. “We have invited globally renowned scholars and hosted lectures to embody the Kyung Hee Spirit of ‘Scholarship and Peace,’” Lee A-ram, a GAFC staff member, explained. “So far, we have two more lectures scheduled and are aiming for a total of six throughout the year,” she added. The next lecture will be held on September 21 and will feature Avi Loeb, the Frank B. Baird, Jr. Professor of Science at Harvard University, as part of Peace BAR Festival 2026.