On March, 26, 2010, a new Korea DeMilitarized Zone Policy Forum was inaugurated by the Ministry of Public Administration and Security (MOPAS), which has the lead role in the future development of the inner-Korean border area. The representative of Hanns-Seidel-Foundation Korea, Dr. Bernhard Seliger, is among the founding members of this consultative body, which will research into the political, economic, cultural and ecological development of the border region. Among others, the goal of a biosphere reserve along the DMZ will be promoted by the forum. The inauguration ceremony was opened by Vice Minister Chang-Sub Jeong, the acting head of MOPAS. He called for a lively and active role of the new forum. Hak-Joon Kim, president of Dong-A Ilbo, was elected as chairman of the forum.

Sustainable development and efficient long-term resource management along the inner-Korean border, in particular in the divided Gangwon Province at the eastern end of the border area, is the aim of a focused cooperation of the Hanns-Seidel-Foundation in Korea with MOPAS and Gangwon Province. Therefore, Hanns-Seidel-Foundation cooperates with local authorities along the border like Goseong-gun and initiated and promoted a partnership between the government of Upper Franconia (in Bavaria in Germany, situated along the former inner-German border) and Gangwon Province.

Vice Minister Chang-Sub Jeong opens the new Korea DMZ policy forum.

Hak-Joon Kim was elected as chairman of the Korea DMZ policy forum