Asan Foundation Holds Academic Symposium Commemorating 49th Anniversary of Its Founding

Theme of “Innovation in Social Welfare in the AI Era,” Held on Thursday, May 28 at the The Asan Institute for Policy Studies

▲ Chairman Chung Mong-Joon of the Asan Foundation, delivers opening remarks at the foundation’s 49th anniversary academic symposium.

The Asan Foundation (Chairman Chung Mong-Joon) will hold an academic symposium on the theme of “Innovation in Social Welfare in the AI Era” on Thursday, May 28 at the The Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Jongno gu, Seoul.

At the symposium, three researchers recognized for outstanding research achievements will present their findings among the 10 researchers selected for the Asan Foundation’s 2025 academic research support program.

Professor Kwangseon Hwang of the Department of Public Administration at Gacheon University will present on the topic of “Ethical Issues and Limitations of AI Based Social Welfare,” highlighting the need for effective guidelines, including human accountability and professional oversight, to address the ethical limitations of AI.

Professor Hyun-jung Kim of the Graduate School of International Studies at Dong-A University will present on the topic of “AI Adoption in Welfare Administration and Policy Outcomes: A Comparative Study of Welfare Data Integration Cases in Estonia and the United Kingdom,” proposing ways to eliminate barriers between administrative agencies and outlining a strategic model for a Korean style AI welfare system.

Professor Young Sam Oh of the Division of Public Administration and Social Welfare at Pukyong National University will present on the topic of “How Far Can AI Replace Social Welfare?” discussing the preservation of uniquely human domains that require ethical judgment and emotional connection, as well as social welfare practice models that can effectively uphold these values.

Following the presentations, a panel discussion will be held featuring Professor Hyoung-Yong Kim of the Department of Social Welfare at Dongguk University, Professor Su-Young Kim of the Department of Social Welfare at Seoul National University, Professor Hyojin Chin of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Gyeongsang National University, and Professor Sun Jung Oh of the Department of Public Administration at Chonnam National University. The session will be moderated by Executive Vice President for Research and External Affairs at Ewha Womans University, Jhungsoo Park, who is also a professor of the Department of Public Administration.

Celebrating its 49th anniversary this year, the Asan Foundation has hosted annual academic symposiums on major social welfare issues in Korean society since 1979.