Korea-Nordic Forum 2026: Building Resilience Together

The Institute for Security and Development Policy’s Stockholm Korea Center is hosting the Korea-Nordic Forum 2026 on November 11. With the generous funding of the Korea Foundation, the objective of the 2026 Korea-Nordic Forum is to identify areas of collaboration between the Nordic nations and South Korea as middle powers in order to enhance resilience across areas pertaining to social, economic, and defense developments. 

As of 2026, cooperation between the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Nordic states- Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland- is showing tendencies to mature into an organized “middle power” alliance. Currently focused on countering rising superpower competition and responding to shifts in the U.S. foreign policy and alliance credibility, this cooperation offers synergies necessary for building more resilient societies who are able to counter social, economic and defense fluctuations and insecurities. ROK and the Nordic countries are nations trying to build the strategic autonomy necessary to navigate current and future challenges on the global arena. By pooling their advanced technological frameworks, strong democratic institutions, and strategic policies, this middle power cooperation shows great potential for effectively identifying and meeting common challenges. 

The Korea-Nordic Forum 2026 will consist of three sessions:

• Session 1: Social Resilience: Welfare Policies & Demographic Shocks
• Session 2: Economic Resilience: Mitigating U.S. and Chinese Influence 
• Session 3: Defense Resilience: Defense Industry & Best Practices 

This year’s forum takes place in Stockholm and is open to registered attendees. The number of seats at the venue is limited. RSVP here to secure your attendance today.

 

Program:

Download the detailed program and explore more information about each panel here.

 

10:00 – 10:30: Registration

 

10:30 – 10:50:

Inaugural Session

Director’s Welcome Remarks:

Dr. Niklas Swanström, Executive Director, Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP)

Special Introductory Remark:

H.E. Lee Hyung-jong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Sweden

 

10:50 – 12:00:

Session 1: Social Resilience: Welfare Policies & Demographic Shocks

Speakers:

Prof. Weon So-Yoon, Chung-Ang University

Prof. Arnstein Aassve, University Bocconi

Dr. Ryu Sunwoo, University of Bristol

Moderator:

Ms. Josephine Ørgaard Rasmussen, ISDP

 

12:00 – 13:00: Lunch break
*Lunch will not be provided at the Forum

 

13:00 – 14:00:

Session 2: Economic Resilience: Mitigating U.S. and Chinese Influence 

Speakers:

Prof. Lee Seungjoo, Chung-Ang University

Dr. Erja Kettunen-Matilainen, University of Turku

Dr. Mia Landauer, ISDP

Moderator:

Prof. Patrik Ström, Stockholm School of Economics

 

14:00 – 14:40: Fika

 

14:40 – 15:40:

Session 3: Defense Resilience: Defense Industry & Best Practices 

Speakers:

Rep. Kim Yong-tae, member of the Republic of Korea National Assembly, People Power Party

Mr. Robert Limmergård, Swedish Security and Defence Industry Association

Mr. Björn Palmertz, Lund University

Moderator:

Maj. Gen. (ret) Mats Engman, ISDP

 

15:40 – 16:00:

Concluding Remarks:

Dr. Niklas Swanström, Executive Director ISDP