A delegation from the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), led by Chairman of the Board Farid Shafiyev, attended a number of high-level events and held productive meetings during its visit to the Republic of Korea.

On June 15, Dr. Shafiyev addressed the Culture and Strategies Forum for the Korean Peninsula and the North 2026, organized by the National Strategies Research Project Agency of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul. In his remarks, he highlighted Azerbaijan’s role in regional connectivity projects, the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, the consolidation of the C6 cooperation format between Azerbaijan and the Central Asian states, and Azerbaijan’s relations with the Republic of Korea within this broader framework. He also drew attention to Azerbaijan’s growing role as a middle power in regional and international affairs.

Head of Department Vasif Huseynov also spoke at the Forum, focusing on the geopolitical transformations in the South Caucasus following the Second Karabakh War, the current state of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, and future regional developments.

On June 16, Dr. Shafiyev moderated a panel titled “Building Supranational Solidarity via Cultural Collaboration” as part of the 6th Culture and Strategies Forum for the Korean Peninsula and the North 2026. The discussion explored the role of cultural engagement in fostering regional cooperation and mutual understanding.

On June 17, the delegation visited the Seoul National University Asia Center (SNUAC), where it met with the Center’s Director, Suhong Chae, and members of its research staff. The discussions focused on prospects for institutional cooperation, joint research projects, and regional developments of shared interest.

Later that day, Dr. Shafiyev had a meeting at the Korean Council on Foreign Relations with Vice Presidents Ahn Young-jip and Dongman Han. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on regional and international developments and to explore avenues for strengthening academic cooperation and launching joint initiatives.

The delegation also visited the Asan Institute for Policy Studies on June 17. Discussions covered Azerbaijan-Korea relations, major developments on the regional and global agenda, and opportunities for future cooperation between the two institutions.

On the same day, the AIR Center delegation participated in an international cooperation meeting hosted by Dongduk Women’s University’s Institute for Eurasian Turkic Studies and the Graduate Program in K-Silkroad Turkic Studies. The meeting focused on Korea-Azerbaijan relations, the evolving geopolitical landscape of Eurasia, the strategic significance of the Middle Corridor, cooperation within the Turkic world, and opportunities to further develop Azerbaijan studies in the Republic of Korea.

Particular attention was paid to the Republic of Korea’s expanding engagement with Central Asia and the importance of understanding Seoul’s regional strategy within a broader framework encompassing the Caspian Sea region, the South Caucasus, and Azerbaijan. The participants also discussed ways to promote academic exchanges and deepen cooperation between research institutions in both countries.

The visit contributed to strengthening the AIR Center’s engagement with leading Korean academic and policy institutions and created new opportunities for cooperation in research, policy dialogue, and expert exchange.