Human Rights in U.S. Foreign Policy: A Focus on East Asia

Human rights issues play an important role in international relations and in the United States’ foreign policy. However, these same issues often appear to take a backseat to other national security priorities. On February 13, the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies (CNAPS) and the Korea Economic Institute hosted a discussion with leading experts to examine the role that human rights has played, and should play, in U.S. foreign policy toward East Asia. The program presented opinions on the proper balance that should be struck between human rights concerns and national self-interest.