Celebrating faculty: Il Hyun Cho

Il Hyun Cho, professor of government and law

What is the focus of your research?

I am a scholar of international relations with a specific regional focus on East Asia. I have published research on global governance, great power relations, nuclear proliferation, regionalism, and energy politics. I am currently working on a book manuscript analyzing political contestation over the benefits and risks of nuclear energy in East Asia and Europe, as well as other research projects exploring the geopolitics of critical minerals, environmental politics, and strategic competition between the United States and China in the Indo-Pacific.

How do students benefit from your scholarship and research? 

Since my research focuses on contemporary international relations and Asian politics, I keep abreast of the latest research in my field of study and global and regional trends, which provide me with insights and new data for my courses. Throughout my scholarly journey, I have conducted field research in China, Japan, and South Korea while networking with other scholars through my research affiliations with Harvard University, Stanford University, University of Tokyo, and Yonsei University (South Korea). With research funding from Lafayette and the Academy of Korean Studies, I recently traveled to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan to investigate the national debate on nuclear energy, the impact of China’s grand strategy on the East Asian order, and the regional perceptions of the intensifying rivalry between the United States and China. 

What will you be teaching in the fall? 

I will be teaching two sections of GOVT 102: Introduction to International Politics, as well as GOVT 270: Chinese Foreign Policy. All three classes are already full, perhaps a reflection of increasing student interest in international relations and Asia. In these courses, students will lead weekly presentations on topics of global significance, such as military conflicts, the role of international institutions, trade disputes among nations, sustainability, and the AI race between the United States and China. In addition, we will have weekly “Global Update” and “China Update” segments, during which students will apply key concepts from the courses to a range of real-world examples.

Read more about faculty members newly named to professor.