Speech by Dr. Hong Yang-Ho, Vice Minister of Unification

On October 27, 2009, in Seoul the Institute for Peace Affairs (IPA) and Hanns-Seidel-Foundation Korea organized a seminar for Koreans from China, Japan, the US and Kasachstan. The ethnic Koreans are a bridge between their (new) homelands and Korea and are an important factor for mutual understanding, stressed Dr. Bernhard Seliger, representative of Hanns-Seidel-Foundation Korea. Dr. Yang-Ho Hong, vice minister for unification, explained the North policy of the Lee Myung-Bak administration. The first session, moderated by Dr. Nam Song-Wook, director of the Institute for National Security Strategy, saw a presentation by Prof. Hosaka Uiji of Sejong University about the political changes in Japan after the electoral victory of the Democratic Party. Prof. Kyung-Il Kim of Beijing University discussed the Chinese view on the Korean nuclear conflict. The second session was moderated by Dr. Bong-Jo Lee, former Vice Minister of Unification. Prof. Moon-Seok Cha of the Institute of Reunification education of South Korea discussed the Southern policy of the North, in particular the propaganda surrounding the creation of a strong and prosperous Korea by 2012. Dr. Seung-Joo Baek of the Korean Institute for Defence Analysis talked about the Northern policy of the South. In the final roundtable discussion participants once again stressed the role of ethnic Koreans abroad for peace on the Korean Peninsula. The seminar for ethnic Koreans in the last decade developed as an important event for bridging Korea and its neighbours near and far.

Related link
Homepage of the Ministry of Unification

Participants of the Seminar

Congratulatory Remark by Dr. Bernhard Seliger, HSS Korea