The APLN – Korea Times Essay Contest on

Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament in the Asia-Pacific Region

“Youth, Disarmament, and Peace in the Asia-Pacific Region´

About

The Asia-Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (APLN) is a Seoul-based advocacy group consisting of members from 16 countries across the Asia-Pacific region. It aims to inform and energize public opinion to take seriously the very real threats posed by nuclear weapons, and to take steps towards achieving a world in which they are contained, diminished and eventually eliminated. The Korea Times is a renowned Englishlanguage newspaper published daily in South Korea. It is a well-regarded source of international, business, sociocultural, and financial news. In order to engage with the youth and garner fresh perspectives, the APLN and The Korea Times, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are holding an essay contest on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament in the Asia-Pacific region.

Eligibility

Undergraduate and graduate students

Schedule*

– October 31st (Saturday): Essay Submission Deadline

– November: Winner Selection and Announcement

– November: Award Ceremony and Round Table Discussion

*is subject to change due to COVID-19.

Requirements

Applicants will be required to submit an essay in English (800-1000 words) on one of the topics listed below:

1. Topics related to the analysis of erosion of international nuclear governance such as the Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), the Intermediate Nuclear Force (INF), and New START and to prescriptions to revive them.

2. Topics related to strategic nuclear rivalry between China and the U.S. as well as newly emerging patterns of nuclear arms race in the Asia-Pacific region.

3. Topics related to the North Korean nuclear problem involving the analysis of current stalemate in negotiations as well as prescriptions to resolve it.

4. Topics related to impacts of emerging technologies, such as hypersonic and space related technologies, autonomous drones, additive manufacturing, and artificial intelligence on nuclear security and stability in the region.

5. Topics on balancing and encouraging the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in the region while guarding against proliferation.

6. Topics on regional perspectives on missile defense, the role of the offense-defense relationship in regional stability, ways to increase regional cooperation and/or dialogue to reduce the risk of nuclear use.

7. Topics related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nuclear security in the AsiaPacific region.

Awards and Prizes

– ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs Award with monetary reward of 2,000,000 KRW

– Korea Times Award with monetary reward of 1,000,000 KRW

– APLN Award with monetary reward of 1,000,000 KRW

– Top three winners will be given an opportunity to participate in the 19th ROK-UN Conference on Disarmament and a round-table discussion with high-profile APLN members. Their essays will be published on The Korea Times and on the APLN website.

– 5 additional participants will receive a monetary reward of 500,000 KRW each and their essays will be published on the APLN website.

Submission

All essays should be submitted to apln@apln.network with the subject line “APLN-KT Essay Contest_Full Name” by October 31st, 2020. The enclosing email should include your full name, school, major, year-level, contact information and residing country. Winners will be contacted via email.

Contact Information

Yoonsoo KIM

Program Fellow

The Asia-Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (APLN)

302, 102 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, ROK 03169

Phone: +82-70-4866-0796

Email: kimys@apln.network