In cooperation with its partners EAAFP, RSPB, Meet Green, Incheon National University, Kyung Hee University, and Seoul National University, HSF carried out a field survey focused on the Spoon-billed Sandpiper on Yubu Island. The survey and expert meeting provided an opportunity for the exchange of knowledge and expertise, and laid the groundwork for future research.

With the appointment of Dr. Hyun-Ah Choi to several government and civil society advisory bodies, HSS Korea’s expertise in inter-Korean dialogue and environmental cooperation is further strengthened. This intensified cooperation focuses particularly on environmental protection, reforestation, and sustainable peacebuilding.

Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) continues to engage in dialogue as well as in research on biodiversity and ecological collaboration. As part of these activities, two recent publications demonstrate how HSS Korea integrates environmental research, regional cooperation, and sustainable development.

With an international policy workshop held immediately prior to the first Korea–Central Asia Summit, the Hanns Seidel Foundation continued its long-standing work on regional cooperation in Northeast and Central Asia. On September 15 and 16, experts from Central Asia, Northeast Asia, and Germany gathered in Seoul to develop concrete starting points for long-term cooperation based on previous dialogue processes.

The Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) continued its engagement with the Global Korea Forum (GKF), sharing insights from its work on the Korean Peninsula and reaffirming its commitment to peaceful dialogue and reconciliation.

The Global Flyways Summit was held in Nairobi, Kenya, on 11 September 2026, bringing together conservation experts and organizations to share experiences and strengthen international cooperation to conserve flyways.

Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea continues to support the Korean Journal of Unification Affairs, an academic journal published by the Institute for Peace Affairs.

The Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea was pleased to contribute to UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar with its own side event on environmental cooperation. Our invited experts presented a range of approaches showing how environmental cooperation can create space for dialogue, trust-building and regional cooperation even in times of political tension.

HSF Korea is pleased to announce the publication of a new research paper by Dr. Hyun-Ah Choi examining habitat changes and conservation challenges facing the endangered Black-faced Spoonbill in the DPRK. The study highlights the importance of protecting key coastal wetlands and calls for stronger regional cooperation to safeguard migratory waterbirds.

HSF Korea participated in the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, celebrating new World Heritage inscriptions and advancing international cooperation for the conservation of the Yellow Sea tidal flats and global biodiversity.

HSF Korea joined international partners at the EAAFP 20th Anniversary Ceremony and International Forum to strengthen cooperation for migratory waterbird conservation. The event highlighted new partnerships, the launch of the First International Black-faced Spoonbill Day poster, and a shared commitment to protecting the East Asian–Australasian Flyway.

A new study by Dr. Hyun-Ah Choi, Senior Researcher at HSF Korea, compares the names of 49 species and shows how linguistic and taxonomic differences can influence biodiversity research. The paper also provides practical recommendations for future ecological cooperation between the two Koreas.

On 8–9 June 2026, the Hanns Seidel Foundation offices in Mongolia, the Republic of Korea, China (Beijing), and Central Asia jointly organized the international workshop "Understanding the Past, Shaping the Future: Perspectives on Regional Cooperation in Northeast Asia" in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The current HANAS Northeast Asia Report by HSS Korea analyzes the outcomes of the U.S.–China meeting and explains why the summit points less to a relaxation of tensions than to the continued strategic rivalry between the two major powers. It also examines the foreign and security policy challenges facing South Korea, as well as possible courses of action.

The 2026 local elections in South Korea were more than a local vote. One year after the state crisis surrounding former President Yoon Suk-yeol and the inauguration of President Lee Jae-myung, they became a nationwide test of public sentiment. While the Democratic Party of Korea (DP) was able to expand its strength in the regions, the narrow result in Seoul demonstrated that the conservative opposition remains capable of mobilizing voters.

HSF Korea joined its partner organization, the Ramsar Regional Center – East Asia (RRC-EA), and other environmental stakeholders at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field to promote World Wetlands Day and raise public awareness of wetland conservation. Through interactive activities and outreach efforts, the event engaged baseball fans in learning about the importance of protecting wetlands and biodiversity.

Along the Han River Estuary, migratory birds continue to connect landscapes divided by political borders. During the 2026 spring migration season, HSF Korea and the EAAFP Secretariat carried out field surveys in Gimpo and Ganghwa, highlighting the estuary’s ongoing importance as a refuge for waterbirds and a place where biodiversity conservation and peacebuilding meet.

HSF Korea participated in the 4th High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, highlighting the importance of regional and international cooperation for sustainable water management.

With visits to Mapo and the National Assembly, HSS Korea continued its dialogue with partners and interlocutors in Seoul. During the meetings, Felix J. Glenk exchanged views with representatives of the Center for Korean Women & Politics as well as Members of the National Assembly Kwon Young-se and Kim Hee-jung. The talks covered a broad range of topics related to the Foundation’s work, from sociopolitical issues to German-Korean dialogue.

The Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea exchanged views with partners on current research findings and political developments in North Korea and discussed possible prospects for future cooperation on the Korean Peninsula.