Public Policy Students Reflect on Their Internships: Suluck Fai Lamubol at the International Crisis Group

Suluck Fai Lamubol, Thailand
MPA candidate, Class of 2016
OSIRG Intern, International Crisis Group, Korean Peninsula Office, Seoul

Lamubol is interning with the International Crisis Group (Crisis Group), Korean Peninsula Office, in Seoul, South Korea this summer. Crisis Group is widely recognized and respected as a trusted source of information, analysis, and policy advice on preventing and resolving deadly conflicts. Seoul is one of more than 20 locations around the world where Crisis Group has offices or representatives.

In addition to monitoring current events, and writing internal monthly situational reports for the Crisis Group, Lamubol is “also assisting with a research paper on principled engagement with North Korea, which will outline the opportunities, costs, and risks for different actors of engaging with North Korea.” She is also taking advantage of her summer internship to gather information for her Passion Project. 

“I have learned so many valuable things this summer,” says Lamubol. “I now have a much greater understanding, for example, for how Crisis Group engages with policy makers around the world to alert them of conflict prevention and resolution opportunities.” Another discovery this summer was related specifically to the situation in North East Asia which, Lamubol says, revolves around traditional security issues, like nuclear proliferation, biochemical and biological weapons, and maritime security.  “I have not had much exposure to these issues in the past, having focused instead on non-traditional security issues like economic development and gender equality, so this has been a great learning opportunity for me. I have to say though that I have found some of the information very technical in nature and at times a bit challenging to understand.” I have been able to manage though by doing additional reading on the topic and asking my supervisor for clarification.

Lamubol says that her visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was particularly interesting. “You can see in the surrounding area how the long and painful divide between the two countries is still impacting people today.” She points out that tensions have been particularly high since the mine-bombing incident in the DMZ in August 2015. “I’m anxious but at the same time interested to see how this tension is resolved,” she says

Her ICG internship has helped Lamubol, who was a journalist before she enrolled at SPP, figure out what she might like to do after she graduates – and has been a chance to hone some valuable skills. “I’ve been interested in the issue of conflict for a long time, but I now understand better how research and advocacy is done, as well as how to analyze current conflict and security situations in different countries.”

Her ICG internship has also given her a chance to explore some of Seoul’s “amazing” museums, beautiful traditional palaces, and Korean food. “The food is one of the things I will surely miss when I leave South Korea!”