 KF-EAI Korea Friendship Program Ends on a High Note
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On Thursday November 27th, the Korea Friendship Program 2014, organized by the EAI with the support of the Korea Foundation, was brought to a close at a gala event held at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul. The evening included a delectable array of dining options, a fashion show organized by the Korea Friendship Program alumni, as well as a musical performance to cap off the evening of boisterous and well deserved celebrations for all involved.
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Smart Q&A with Kurt Campbell: The Korean Peninsula and the U.S. Strategy in the Asia-Pacific
The EAI was given the great privilege of hosting a Smart Q&A session with Dr. Kurt Campbell, the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs and the key architect of the U.S. pivot to Asia strategy. Interviewed by Dr. Chaesung Chun, chair of the EAI Asia Security Initiative Research Center, Dr. Campbell warned of the potential for miscalculation in the region, especially over the issue of North Korea and highlighted the need to find ways for dialogue to resolve issues that included input from China. In terms of East Asian regional dynamics, Dr. Campbell asserted that it is a mistake to assume that the rise of China has resulted in increasing rivalry between China and the U.S., thus forcing countries in the region to have to side with one of the parties. In contrast, he maintains that the U.S. welcomes improved relations with China and would also like to see an improvement of Sino-Japanese relations. In regards to the situation on the Korean peninsula, Dr. Campbell believes that the U.S. is committed to staying involved in the region even after the unification of the Korean peninsula.
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EAI Publishes Middle Power Diplomacy Initiative Working Papers No. 7 and 8
The EAI published two papers in November as part of the Middle Power Diplomacy Initiative working paper series. The first by Min Gyo Koo titled: “East Asian Maritime Disputes and South Korea’s Middle Power Diplomacy,” argues that South Korea must perform the role of “safety mechanism” between the US, China, and Japan in order to resolve sovereignty disputes in the region. He also emphasizes the fact that the process of establishing a new international maritime order should not just follow a political trajectory but also have a normative aspect. In the second article titled: “The Role of South Korea in the Making of a Regional Trade Architecture: Convening, Bridging, and Designing FTA Networks,” Yul Sohn maintains that South Korea’s strategy of creating a “Global FTA hub” has entered a new phase because of rising tensions between China and the U.S in the Asia-Pacific region, and that the tendency to over-securitize the trade architecture must be resolved so a multilateral trade order in East Asia can develop.
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EAI Hosts International Conference on Empowering Community of Democracies
Democracy is increasingly coming under attack in many diverse settings. Potential strategies in enhancing the resilience of democracy in Asia and beyond formed the basis of the latest EAI organized conference titled: "Empowering Community of Democracies," co-hosted with the Asia Democracy Network. Held at the Lexington Hotel and the National Assembly Library in Yeouido on November 24th-25th, this conference brought together Korean and renowned international experts in democracy promotion such as: Maria Leissner, Secretary-General of the Community of Democracies, Carl Gershman, President of the National Endowment for Democracy, Roland Rich, former Executive Head of The United Nations Democracy Fund and Jerzy Pomianowski, the Executive Director of the European Endowment for Democracy. The robust discussions suggested ways in which democracy promotion could move forward in Asia and concluded with a set of possible agenda items to be forwarded to the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Community of Democracies to be held in El Salvador in 2015.
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A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed? October Edition of U.S.-China Relations Factsheet Available Now
The October issue of the UCR sees an emphasis on building relationships with other nations. Primary focus continues to be placed on the Middle East and Africa, where the escalating ISIL situation and rising international concern over the growth of the Ebola virus is understandably taking prominence. Also in this issue, the U.S. comes under fire for arms sales to Vietnam and support of Japan's new military doctrine, renews its commitment to the preservation of human rights, citing its presence in Asia as a stabilizing influence and launches a new climate change adaptation map. China is fixated on quietly dealing with the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong, holds firm on principles of sovereignty, defends itself against U.S. criticisms of wrong doing in cyber security, by claiming it too is a victim and underscores its commitment to developing inclusive international norms.
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EAI Hosts Korea Global Forum in Europe
In follow up to the Korea Global Forum Seoul event organized by EAI, the institute took the Ministry of Unification's Korea Global Forum to Europe, where it co-organized a conference with the Center for European Policy Studies in Brussels on October 31st titled: "East Asia's Changing Regional Order and the Korean Peninsula: Lessons and Prospects from the European Experience." Earlier this year the EAI co-organized forums in Japan and China prior to the major international conference held in Seoul. The final forum for 2014 will take place on December 10th where the EAI will co-organize an event in the United States with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington D.C. The Minister of Unification of the Republic of Korea, Kihl-jae Ryoo will deliver the keynote address at this forum.
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Upcoming Event: EAI to Host Special Lecture with Professor Joseph S. Nye Jr.
On December 10, the East Asia Institute and Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies will jointly play host to a very special guest lecture by Professor Joseph Nye (Harvard University). Professor Nye who is well known to scholars and students in international relations for popularizing the conceptualization of 'soft power' as an important factor in foreign policy, will give a special public lecture titled "Is the American Century over?" Professor Byungkook Kim (Korea University) will host a special Q&A session at the conclusion of Professor Nye's esteemed lecture.
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