The 8th Annual Alexander C. Cushing International Law Conference was held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on June 8-9, 2026, bringing together leading scholars, legal experts, military practitioners, and policymakers to discuss the theme “International Law and Conflict at Sea.” Representing the Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies (YCAPS) were Ivy Ganadillo, Director of Maritime Programs, and Professor Sato Yoichiro, Senior Research Fellow. Organized by the U.S. Naval War College’s Stockton Center for International Law and the Korea Institute for Maritime Strategy, the conference examined a range of maritime security issues, including developments in East Asia, maritime sanctions enforcement, the protection of critical undersea infrastructure, and the governance challenges of deep seabed mining.
The conference provided a valuable platform for exchanging perspectives on the evolving legal and strategic challenges facing the maritime domain. Discussions highlighted the importance of international law, maritime governance, and international cooperation in addressing emerging security concerns at sea. Participation in the conference also offered opportunities to engage with experts and practitioners from across the Indo-Pacific and beyond, strengthening professional networks and fostering dialogue on issues critical to regional and global maritime security.
