Open Conversations – Kellogg Beyond Oxford
Seoul 2026 – Hosted in partnership with the Ban Ki-moon Foundation
We are delighted to invite all current members of College and alumni worldwide to join us for a special weekend in one of the world’s most dynamic and influential cities, Seoul, South Korea.
Friday 24 April to Sunday 26 April 2026
This special weekend of events and cultural opportunities is hosted by
Kellogg College Bynum Tudor Fellow and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
We are grateful to our event sponsors:
This Kellogg College flagship event offers face-to-face engagement with influential figures shaping South Korea and the world today – from international diplomats and political leaders to high-ranking South Korean statespeople, trailblazers of K-Culture, leaders in business and technological innovation, and distinguished scholars from the University of Oxford.
Expect thought-provoking panel discussions on themes that matter – the shifting global geopolitical landscape, artificial intelligence and the future of humanity, South Korea’s leadership in innovation, and the rise of Korean soft power.
This will be an extraordinary weekend filled with meaningful intellectual exchange, exclusive networking opportunities with panellists and alumni, and carefully curated cultural experiences – including historical city walks, masterclass with an artisan, and the rare chance to visit the DMZ.
Event Details
Dates: 24–26 April 2026
Venue: Grand Hyatt, Seoul
Tickets Available: Strictly limited to 80 tickets
Price per ticket: £700 Reserve your place now!
See our speakers and special guests
View the event programme
Meet our Convenors and Special Guests
Ban Ki-moon
Former UN Secretary-General
The Rt Hon Baroness Jan Royall
Former Leader of the House of Lords, UK Parliament
Dr Philip Gordon
Former National Security Advisor to Vice President of United States
The Honourable Park Jin
South Korean diplomat and politician
His Excellency Ambassador Kim Sook
South Korean diplomat and international relations expert
Kristie Lu Stout
CNN Anchor and Moderator
Dr Daehyun Kim
Executive Vice-President, Head of Global AI Center, Samsung Electronics
Professor Jonathan Reynolds
Associate Professor in Retail Marketing and Deputy Dean, Saïd Business School
Yongseok Shin
Executive Vice President and Head of HMG Business Intelligence Institute, Hyundai Motor Group
Professor Max Van Kleek
Kellogg College Fellow and Associate Professor of Human-Computer Interaction, University of Oxford
Anand Menon
Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King's College London, and Director of UK in a Changing Europe
Hyun Park
CEO of Alquimista Media; international media executive and television producer
Patrick Lee
Director of Frieze Seoul
Also featuring:
Jung-Hoon Lee
Dean, Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) Yonsei University
Former Ambassador for North Korean Human Rights Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Kim Hyung-jin
Former Ambassador to Belgium and the EU
Seoul’s International Relations Ambassador
Byung-Yeon Kim
Professor of Economics in the College of Social Sciences at the Seoul National University
Expert in North Korea
Alice Haeyun Oh
Professor of Computing, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
A Weekend of Exclusive Events and Cultural Opportunities
Friday 24 April 2026
Welcome Event – An exclusive evening reception with the UK Ambassador, offering an opportunity to engage informally with eminent guests, speakers, and University of Oxford alumni.
Saturday 25 April 2026
- Panel discussions – A series of expert panels covering key global topics, such as the shift in the global geopolitical landscape, AI and the Future of Humanity, South Korea’s innovative leadership, and South Korea’s growing soft power through K-culture.
- Networking lunch – An intimate networking lunch with international figures from government, business, diplomacy, and academia.
- Gala dinner – A four-course gala dinner featuring toasts and addresses from distinguished speakers.
Sunday 25 April 2026
Cultural tours and experiences – Choose from a selection of specially curated excursions, featuring privileged access to iconic sites.
Panel discussion topics
The World We’re In
The Korean Peninsula: Living with the Impasse?
The Rise of K-Culture
AI & the Future of Humanity
Korea: From Fast Follower to Innovation Leader
Cultural tours and experiences
Experience the musical artform of Gayageum
This hands-on experience in Seoul’s Bukchon district invites participants to explore Korean cultural heritage by wearing hanbok and learning to play the traditional gayageum, guided by an expert instructor.
Historical Walking Tour
Led by historian Jacco Zwetsloot, this immersive walking tour of Seoul’s Jeongdong district explores 140 years of Korean history, revealing the rise and fall of the Great Han Empire and the city’s transformation through global influences.
75th Anniversary Tour of the Battle of Imjin River and the DMZ
Led by historian Andy Salmon MBE, this commemorative tour marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Imjin River, offering expert insights, visits to key sites, and reflection on the Korean War’s enduring legacy.