Maeum Han

Maeum Han is an officer in the Republic of Korea Army, specializing in public affairs and strategic communication. Since her commissioning in 2009, she has served in both frontline units and Army Headquarters, leading communication efforts to build trust between the military, civil society, and the public.

She holds a master’s degree in Educational Anthropology from Yonsei University, where she conducted qualitative research on military culture and officers’ lived experiences. Building on this academic background, she has worked to amplify marginalized voices—particularly women in uniform—and promote more inclusive communication practices within the military.

Through her training at the U.S. Defense Information School and her experience as a NATO NextGen Futures Fellow, Maeum developed a strong interest in disinformation, media manipulation, and the rapidly evolving information environment in security contexts. Motivated by nearly two decades of professional experience, she applied for the Rotary Peace Fellowship to deepen this work through academic research.

As a Rotary Peace Fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she plans to examine how digital media, AI-generated content, and strategic narratives shape public perception and influence democratic institutions. She also aims to explore how communication strategies and policy frameworks can strengthen societal resilience against disinformation and support more transparent and accountable security practices.

In the long term, Maeum seeks to contribute to policy and practice at the intersection of security, communication, and peacebuilding—helping to redefine the role of the military in fostering trust, accountability, and sustainable peace.