This book is the outcome of collective support that I have received from many inspiring people and institutions that genuinely and generously encouraged me to fulfil my potentials throughout my journey from Korea to Switzerland.
I have felt uplifted from the very beginning in my exploration of public international law, starting at Korea University. At the World Trade Institute in Bern, I started to develop an interest in the nexus between trade and culture. Finally, I established my interest in the topic at the Geneva Graduate Institute by pursuing a Ph.D. on the role of culture in international trade law.
At these three wonderful institutions, I have met and been nurtured by amazing scholars that truly inspired me and are still important to me. Professor Nohyoung Park opened my eyes to the world of public international law. I still vividly remember the entrance exam interview he did for me at Korea University. My learning under his stewardship at Korea University has certainly provided the backbone for my study and work. While studying at Korea University, I was lucky to benefit from the classes of Professor Dukguen Ahn. His classes were meant only for seniors who were already working, but I was so much wanting to learn from him that I took his classes as extra curriculum. He later recommended me to study abroad at the World Trade Institute, which was an exotic destination for many Koreans. However, thanks to his visionary thoughts that I shall study trade from a multidisciplinary perspective, I could discover a flexible concept of trade that is not rigidly limited to one perspective on trade. This systemic approach and attitude have been very influential in my thinking on trade and trade policy in general. Professor Peter Van Den Bossche, then at Maastricht University, dedicated his valuable time to support me in developing my Ph.D. proposal and asked me thought-provoking questions. When I finally arrived at the stage of writing my Ph.D. thesis at the Geneva Graduate Institute, Professor Joost Pauwelyn challenged me to sharpen my rationales and creatively think outside boxes. Professor Cédric Dupont hired me to work on the first Executive Course on wto of the Geneva Graduate Institute and has seen me overcome challenges as a foreign student to survive in a new place, and eventually the Ph.D. degree. Recently, while preparing for teaching a course at the International Institute in Geneva on how trade affects all of us, a topic that I am passionate about, I had tremendous joy in using the book by Professor Jim Bacchus, “Trade Links.” His simple but powerful idea that trade is linked to many different non-trade issues was exactly the message that I also wanted to share with my students. I am grateful to Professor Bacchus for sharing his authoritative insights with me and listening to my humble views.
I take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to all of them.
December 2022
Geneva, Switzerland