The Contemporary History Institute hosts Dr. Ji Young Choi discussing “South Korea's Achievements and Challenges It Faces: A Historical Perspective” on Thursday April 3 at 4:30 p.m. in Bentley Hall 306.

Dr. Choi is associate professor of Politics and Government and affiliated professor of International Studies at Ohio Wesleyan University, where he also is Director of East Asian Studies. He specializes in international relations history and theories, international political economy, foreign policy, and East Asian security and political economy.

Choi completed his Ph.D. at Purdue University, where he taught introductory courses in International Relations and Comparative Politics as an independent instructor and won a Graduate Student Award for Outstanding Teaching in 2007. A native of South Korea, Choi earned a B.A. in Philosophy at Yonsei University and his M.I.S. (Master of International Studies) with top honors at Sogang University, both in Seoul, Korea. Further, he went on to earn his M.A. in Political Science at the University of Kansas, where his M.A. thesis passed with honor.

His book, The Politics of South Korea: A Comprehensive Introduction (Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2025) an updated thematic and comprehensive introduction to South Korea with insightful analyses of  the country from international and comparative perspectives. The book addresses the political and economic history of North Korea as well as inter-Korean relations. It also includes a timely subject, the rise of the culture industry and the 4th industrial revolution, and covers the new trend of the K-Pop industry.

This event is free and open to the public and all are welcome to attend.