EAI has sought to create an environment in which our interns can feel a sense of belonging and solidarity with the institute. To this end, EAI has been holding Intern Seminars every Monday to provide educational incentives to our dear interns.
Through these Intern Seminars, EAI is hoping that our interns can participate more actively and freely in our institute’s activities and acquire new knowledge that they may not encounter at their schools. Also, we hope these events contribute to developing a long-term relationship between EAI and our interns by providing opportunities to learn, expand their networks with other young scholars while seeking to improve communication with EAI fellows.
As a part of the Intern Seminar program, EAI hosted a Youth Focus Group allowing the EAI interns a chance to share their opinions on ROK-U.S. relations and the presence of U.S. troops on the Korean Peninsula with the Director of Strategy for the Combine Forces in Korea Bryan Port.
Presenter
Bryan Port, Command Senior Advisor, Strategic Communications United States Forces Korea
Participants
Daeun Choi, University of Manchester
Gahee Cho, Sookmyung Women’s University
Lamyae Dahbi, Sungkyunkwan University
Gordon Gatlin, Yonsei University
Diana Kang, Seoul National University
Kristen Kim, University of California, Berkeley
Taeyoung Kim, Gachon University
Jihye Jeong, Seoul National University
| Summary of the Event |
Writers
Lamyae Dahbi, Peace and Security Unit Intern (Sungkyunkwan University)
Gordon Gatlin, Peace and Security Unit Intern (Yonsei University)
The two USFK representatives interacted with a group of young interns at the East Asia Institute. The meeting was an opportunity for the interns to express their thoughts and perspectives about the future of US-South Korean relations, and especially how to maintain the strong relationship the allies currently have.
Bryan Port was especially interested in the students’ views on Unification and what the students hope South Korea’s role in the international community to be twenty years from now when they are leaders in government, policy and academics. The group shared their own concerns and raised issues related to Article 9 of Japan’s constitution, missile defense on the Korean Peninsula and the need for Korea to balance between China and Japan. The meeting resulted in a fruitful share of information, in which Director Port and Deputy Ellis were pleased to engage in a discussion with the young interns and listened carefully to their opinions and responded candidly.