Jong Eun Lee, MPhil, PhD

The morning will come when Christ Returns! Until then, let each of us be the moons that reflect the light of the sun, illuminating through the night until the dawn arrives.

• Teaching & Education

  BA in Political Science
  American University, School of Public Affairs
  Washington, DC
  2009

  MA in Political Science
  Fordham University
  New York City, NY
  2011

  MPhil in International Relations
  American University, School of International Service
  Washington, DC
  2018

  PhD in International Relations
  American University, School of International Service
  Washington, DC
  2023

• Professional Experience

  My research specialty includes U.S. foreign policy, South Korean politics and foreign policy, alliance management, East Asian regional security.

  As an adjunct faculty at American University and as an assistant professor at NGU, I have taught a range of undergraduate and graduate courses, including East Asian History and Politics, US Foreign Policy, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Resolution, American Government, Comparative Politics, European Politics.

• My Story

  From 2011-2014, I served as a South Korean Air Force Intelligence Officer. From 2014-2015, I taught middle school social science and math at the International Academy of Saint Petersburg in Russia. From 2020-2024, I was a research fellow at North Korea Development Institute, a South Korea-based research think-tank run by North Korean defectors. I have published articles in The Diplomat, National Interest, Responsible Statecraft, East Asia Forum, Eurasia Review, 19fortyfive, and The Korea Times. I have been interviewed by Newsweek, Wbur On Point Liberation (French newpaper), and Expresso (Portugal newspaper), on the contemporary political and security issues in Northeast Asia. I have also served as an interpreter for the NPR’s “All Things Considered” Program and International Spy Museum’s “Spy Cast” program for the interviews of North Korea defectors.

  “Born in Korea, raised in Russia, and studied in the United States” is the short summary of my life upbringing. My family moved from South Korea to Russia as missionaries. Growing up in Saint Petersburg, I spoke Korean at home, Russian at church, and studied English at an international Christian academy.

  I received Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate Degrees in the United States. It was a blessing to study international relations in Washington DC, the center of American and international politics. Now teaching at North Greenville University, I have three aspirations. My first aspiration is to motivate students to have interests and passions for the events happening around the world and study the causes and consequences of these events. My second aspiration is to encourage students to understand these international events from the lens of a Christian worldview. My third aspiration is to continue to make contributions to my field of international and East Asian security through my research and writing.