Welcome to the Student Voice Series. The series interviews students and alumni at our English-medium programs. Once a month, the International Admissions Office will release an interview with our students. We hope these interviews can be helpful to you when considering coming to Ritsumeikan University.
Post by the International Admissions Office
Wonjin from South Korea
College of International Relations, Global Studies Major, class of 2021
- JASSO / Tuition Reduction scholarship
Why did you decide on your program in RU?
While keenly analyzing and researching the rapidly changing international politics, I was eager to be a talented person who can contribute to securing Korea's national interests and enhancing its foreign status with a broad perspective toward the world. In particular, the opportunity to study international politics in English with students of various nationalities was very fascinating. Having lived in a global environment for many years, I have become accustomed to communicating with and respecting others who have various cultures and backgrounds. In particular, working as an assistant teacher for English lectures and International Forums in Japanese high schools since 2018, I have explored ways to communicate across borders by using language.
I have also studied international politics in English with students of various nationalities at Ritsumeikan University in Japan. Through the opportunity to learn and discuss international politics with multinational students, I have realized that cooperation must take place based on a deep understanding of foreign affairs with diverse interests, not merely from the perspective of looking at international politics from the Korean perspective. In particular, recognizing the importance of international politics as a means to stably manage diplomatic relations, resolve disputes, and promote cooperation, I chose the Global Studies (GS) program and Ritsumeikan University to research the practical policies.
Could you explain your graduation thesis/research?
My first thesis is named “Possibility of Submitting Disputes to International Court Based on Obligation Erga Omnes by the United Nations (UN) as a Representative of the International Community”.
Many countries around the world have suffered from crucial wars, and cases of crimes against humanity, such as the violation of human rights in Kosovo in 1998, have been reported worldwide. However, no practical solutions thereto have been suggested under the traditional international legal system. The norms of international law without the consent of the state have no binding force, and there was no hierarchical order to impose sanctions on violations thereof and to enforce implementation. Willenstheorie of this traditional international legal system has been facing a critical turning point with the emergence of the concept of obligation Erga Omnes. Obligation Erga Omnes presented the possibility of leading the international community’s unified efforts at the level of international law to resolve international issues. Through the '2005 World Summit Outcome', the international community standardized that the international community has the responsibility to use appropriate diplomatic and other peaceful means through the United Nations to help protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, and affirmed with the will of State Parties the need for the UN to contribute to solving these problems for the international community.
Therefore, I examined the possibility of bringing the issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) claiming obligation Erga Omnes by the UN and its organs as representatives of the international community, and discussed specific methodologies by the UN organs, while assuming the UN as the representative of the international community as the subject of the complaint. By arguing that bringing the issue regarding obligation Erga Omnes to the ICJ by the UN is consistent with its charter, the purpose of its establishment and practice, and is not hindered by the limitation of the principle of domestic jurisdiction, I suggested that the method can contribute to protecting the rights of the international community through the Grotian Moment, and ultimately to the achievement of the UN's original purpose of maintaining international peace and security. The details are in the paper “Possibility of Submitting Disputes to International Court based on Obligation Erga Omnes by the United Nations (UN) as a Representative of the International Community”.
What will you do after graduating from RU?
Participating and engaging in the policy-making process in the multilateral diplomatic field, I have acquired practical knowledge on policy proposals, opinion adjustments, and diplomatic negotiations. Appointed as a Korean youth delegate to G20 Saudi Arabia, I have been authorized by MOFA Korea to represent the voice of Korean youth to discuss policies and agendas for the future of youth at the international conference in the G20 Riyad Summit, by making a joint policy recommendation and resolution thereon. I have contributed to making joint diplomatic statements by G20 member states, ‘Y20 Summit 2020 Saudi Arabia Communiqué’, which notes the importance of youth engagement to international society and of fostering the potential ability of youth. Also, with highly engaging in presenting the ‘Y20 Statement on Response to Covid-19’ diplomatically, I have suggested a way of empowering resilience of global society countered with a pandemic and international crisis, and of overcoming by cooperating on the international level, which does not exclude any states or any peoples, to make global society more inclusive. Also, in the Training Programme on Policy Development and Communication 2020, held by the international think tank MISK, I was able to gain knowledge and practical experience on policy establishment through the review of empirical research on policy-making processes through model research.
I have gained knowledge and understanding of international politics through participating Model NPT Conference held by MOFA Korea (Awarded Minister Prize). I have experienced collecting and analyzing diplomatic documents, and it allowed me to have a deep comprehension of the diplomatic policies. Also, participating in Model G20 Conference held by MOFA Korea (Awarded Minister Prize), I have developed a deep understanding of the multilateral cooperative system based on global governance, looking for policy measures in a multilateral system, paying attention to the role of global partnerships in promoting international cooperation. Furthermore, I received an award at the 12th International Law Moot Court Competition held by the Korean Society of International Law. I was selected to the finals of the Moot Court Competition by writing a legal statement of defense on the decision regarding crimes of aggression and the possibility of exercising absolute universal jurisdiction over the crimes. I discussed the legality of the exercise of self-defense rights, the application of international laws on individual diplomatic exemptions, the expansion of the range of international crimes subject to absolute universal jurisdiction, and the possibility of exercising it.
Working at government agency, engaging in public diplomacy and public events
Currently, in the Master's Course majoring in Diplomacy at Seoul National University, I am researching the structural theorization of foreign policy decision-making processes. Focusing on a number of variations thereon such as public opinions and decision-makers' individual factors, I would theorize the effects of the roles of various domestic actors on policymaking and implementation through the foreign policy decision-making process.
I want to grow up to be a diplomat and researcher who can devote myself to resolve conflicts, institutionalize stable relations, and form a peaceful regional community, and who can research diplomatic ways to systematically manage and stabilize Korea-Japan relations and suggest to the government. In particular, I want to transform the Korea-Japan relationship into a cooperative bilateral relationship and establish an institutional mechanism in East Asia through a deep understanding of the essential aspects such as fundamental ideological differences between Korea and Japan based on my academic experience in both countries, thereby contributing to the establishment of a globally competitive regional community, ultimately leading to sustainable growth of Korea and the cooperative development of the region.
Based on the knowledge and experience, I would like to study the diplomatic ways of institutionalization and development of Korea-Japan cooperation. Through theoretical consideration of the alliance at the same level as the state actors, I would study the impact of the cooperation and alliance on the East Asian power balance, the extent to which it can contribute to the resolution of regional issues such as North Korea's nuclear weapons and the U.S.-China conflict, and the factors and methodologies for establishing a stable regional cooperative based on cooperation between South Korea, the U.S. and Japan.
Having engaged in foreign policy process, I attended a diplomatic conference with former US diplomats at the US embassy to KoreaCould you tell us about your best memory at Ritsumeikan University?
It was the opportunity I had at Ritsumeikan that allowed me to interact and learn closely with people of various nationalities, gain more international experience, and have broader insights.
Could you give a message in English/Korean to prospective students?
Become a student at Ritsumeikan University, and become a global person.
