The presentation assesses the multicultural governance dilemma faced by a state seeking to embrace international norms while transitioning from homogeneity towards multiculturalism. Normative obligations and the demands of national interest (and self-perception) need not be mutually antagonistic. Governance obligations regarding refugees, immigrants, and other vulnerable individuals and groups can be in the rational self-interest of a society. Hence, not only is it normatively imperative for South Korea to embrace multiculturalism, but also pragmatically rational to do so.
Brendan Howe is a leading scholar worldwide on the theory and practice of Asian governance, peace-building and regional security. Originally from the Southwest of England, and a graduate of Trinity College Dublin (Ph.D. in Political Science), he teaches and researches at the Graduate School of International Studies of Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea. He is President of both the World International Studies Committee (WISC) and the Asian Political and International Studies Association (APISA), and is a visiting scholar at the Institute of Political Science at Heidelberg University (Germany) for the current academic year.