Archived Events – Page 22 – GW Institute for Korean Studies

An Evening With Dr. Michael Green: North Korea Policy and Korea-Japan Relations

March 8, 2018July 29, 2021Archived EventsLeave a Comment

An Evening With Dr. Michael Green: North Korea Policy and Korea-Japan Relations

The US-Korea Institute in partnership with the Sejong Society of Washington, DC present a mini-lecture on North Korea Policy & Korea-Japan Relations given by Dr. Michael J. Green.

Michael Green, Ph.D is the Senior Vice President for Asia and Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Director of Asian Studies at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. He served on the staff of the National Security Council (NSC) from 2001 through 2005, first as director for Asian affairs with responsibility for Japan, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, and then as special assistant to the president for national security affairs and senior director for Asia, with responsibility for East Asia and South Asia.

Dr. Green has authored numerous books and articles on East Asian security, including most recently, By More Than Providence: Grand Strategy and American Power in the Asia Pacific Since 1783 (Columbia University Press, 2017). He received his master’s and doctoral degrees from Johns Hopkins SAIS and did additional graduate and postgraduate research at Tokyo University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He received his bachelor’s degree in history from Kenyon College with highest honors. He holds a black belt in Iaido (sword) and has won international prizes on the great highland bagpipe

Date and Time

Tue, March 13, 2018

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EDT

Location

Rome Auditorium

1619 Massachusetts Ave NW

Washingont, DC 20036

Register

International Women’s Day Panel on North Korean Women

February 27, 2018April 1, 2020Archived EventsLeave a Comment

GW THiNK is proud to present our third annual International Women’s Day panel discussion focusing on the problems faced by North Korean women in the DPRK and as refugees in China. This year we will be joined by two North Korean women who will testify about their experiences. There will also be a moderated discussion and Q&A session. We are joined by the GW Institute for Korean Studies and the Sigur Center for Asian Studies in Hosting this event.

Stay tuned for more information.

This is part of a series of events presented in collaboration with the Working Group on North Korean Women (nkwomen.com), the North Korea Freedom Coalition (nkfreedom.org), and NKinUSA (nkinusa.org). These two women will go on to give their testimonies in multiple venues, including on the opening day of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. If you are able to, please consider supporting this program by making a tax-deductible donation here:

https://www.plumfund.com/charity-fundraising/nkwomen

Japan-Korea Relations 20 Years After the Kim Obuchi Summit

February 27, 2018July 29, 2021Archived EventsLeave a Comment

Nearly twenty years ago, the leaders of Japan and South Korea raised hopes for “a new JapanKorea partnership for the twentyfirst century,” backed by an action plan to foster broader cooperation and closer peopletopeople ties. Although progress has been made, disagreements over history have stymied the desired transformation in their relationship, even as North Korean nuclear threats grow.

This halfday conference—featuring scholars and former officials of that time from Japan, South Korea, and the United States—combines a look back with a look ahead, reflecting on what types of polices and initiatives have succeeded or failed since 1998 and why. We will look for strategies to facilitate future longterm progress in JapanKorea relations.

This conference will be followed by a light reception.

March 08, 2018 Washington, DC 2:00 PM — 7:00 PM EST

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 200362103

Phone: 202 483 7600

Soh Jaipil Circle – Prof. Sergei Kurbanov: Compiling History of North Korea in the 21st Century: Methodology of Fact Selection and Analysis

February 27, 2018July 29, 2021Archived Events, Soh Jaipil Circle on Contemporary Korean AffairsLeave a Comment

Prof. Sergei Kurbanov gave an illuminating presentation on the topic of researching the national history of North Korea, a difficult task even for the most experienced scholars. Unlike many scholars who refer to North Korea as a communist state, Prof. Kurbanov offered his own unique concept of North Korea as a “nationalistic tradition-based forced/self-isolated Asian Korean country”. He went on to explain that, in compiling a history of North Korea, there are two main principles. The first is a national North Korean history compiled for the North Korean population; the second is “external” North Korean history written by foreigners, which explains North Korean history to foreign audiences.

Prof. Kurbanov notes that historians of the latter category often – whether intentionally or not – inject their own country’s worldviews in compiling the history of North Korea or any other country for that matter. One example of approaches to North Korean history narrative is the Soviet case of historians emphasizing the “development” of North Korea as the result of Soviet help. In contrast, the U.S. history of North Korea describes the nation as “dictatorship regime”. This means that the language that history is written in reflects the point of view of the native country. For example, histories written in Russian are bound to be influenced by Russia’s political relationship with North Korea as is the case of American. Thus, understanding the perception and worldview that is embedded within different languages is incredibly important. Prof. Kurbanov posed the question of whether it is possible to overcome these national and cultural perspectives and compile a scientific history of North Korea. He argued that theoretically this would be possible though practically very difficult.

Towards the end of his lecture, Prof. Kurbanov gave two principles of describing two ways of compiling history gijeonchae and pyeonnyeonchae. He concluded his lecture a brief overview of major events or nodal events that have taken place in North Korea post-1945. The compelling presentation highlighted important aspects of conducting research on the history of North Korea.

For more lectures on similar topics, please stay tuned for more Soh Jaipil Circle news!

Written by Soo-Jin Kweon

Political Economy of Reform in North Korea

February 22, 2018July 29, 2021Archived EventsLeave a Comment

Partnerships for International Strategies in Asia (PISA) and GW Institute for Korean Studies (GWIKS) co-hosted an event looking at economic reform in North Korea. Both PISA and GWIKS are standouts in the Washington policy community for their mission to expand public discourse on North Korea beyond the security archetype. On February 22, 2018, we gave the audience the opportunity to learn more about North Korean economic history, government-led reforms, domestic political drivers, and the role of outside actors in shaping North Korean economic landscape. Keynote speaker, Dr. Kevin Gray of University of Sussex, and currently a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center, delivered a presentation titled, the Political Economy of Reform in North Korea. Dr. Joongho Kim, a Visiting Scholar from GWIKS participated in program as a discussant. Each scholar offered insightful expertise into the topic and agreed that the pace of economic development and liberalization in North Korea is varied across the country. PISA and GWIKS will sponsor an event next month, ‘Beyond the Nuclear Issue’ a conference held at The Elliott School March 28th.

Youn Kuk Jung on “The South Korean Media in the Post-Truth Era”

February 13, 2018July 29, 2021Archived EventsLeave a Comment

In his presentation at the GW Institute for Korean Studies, journalist and former Blue House spokesman, Youn Kuk Jung discussed the impact of the post-truth era on South Korean media and government. “Post-truth” was the 2016 Oxford Dictionary word of the year, and it emphasizes the precedence of emotion and personal opinion over objective truth. Mr. Jung traced its origins to increasing suspicion towards news sources with the rise of alternative information sources online. Through the miniaturization and grouping processes in online discourse, people converse only with like-minded individuals and their opinions are never challenged. These insulated groups can become politically powerful, playing on the sentiments of members to create demagogy, or “political activity or practices that seek support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument.”

Mr. Jung argued that the media has an obligation to remain neutral in order to fight against such demagogy. However, when journalists’ priority is with attracting more readers, they fear of going against the prevailing public opinion and may also write news that have yet to be proven correct. This is especially potent in South Korea, where public sentiment is seen as above the rule of law. Other challenges of online communication in the post-truth era include the tendency to block-out different viewpoints and the proliferation of low quality discourse on the Internet and via text messaging. To combat these problems, he proposed that journalists hold themselves to high standards, seeking the hidden truth beneath the surface and patiently confirming facts before breaking stories. In addition, laws limiting reporting on ongoing investigations could help prevent media and public influence on judicial decisions. Mr. Jung raised serious concerns about efforts to stir up emotions for political gain and urged a combination of media and government efforts to present the truth and preserve the rule of law.

Written by Grace Wright

Korean Literature and Culture in the Globalizing World

February 13, 2018July 29, 2021Archived EventsLeave a Comment

Korean Literature and Culture in the Globalizing World

Date: February 23, 2018, 2pm-4pm

Location: Phillips Hall 411 (CCAS Dean’s Conference Room, GWU, 801 22nd St. NW, Washington, DC)

Speaker: Dr. Seong Kon Kim, Professor Emeritus of Seoul National University and President of the Literary Translation Institute of Korea

Abstract: The recent news that Han Kang and Debora Smith won the prestigious Man-Booker International Prize greatly elated the Korean people. Thanks to Han Kang’s prize-winning novel “The Vegetarian,” Korean literature is finally in the limelight, receiving its fair share of praise from the international community at last.

Recently, The Times Literary Supplement carried an encouraging article entitled “A Glittering Korea.” In the article, Toby Richtig writes that in the U.K. there is a “seemingly insatiable appetite for publication about the Hermit kingdom.” Richtig argues that while North Korea has been busy showing off its military muscle, South Korea has emerged on the global stage as a country of charming literary arts and rich cultural heritage, “enjoying its place in the sun.’

Furthermore, South Korea has emerged into the spotlight of international recognition and admiration for its miraculous economic success, the cutting-edge technology of companies like Samsung, LG and Hyundai, and the widespread Korean cultural phenomena called hallyu, or the Korean Wave.

In this lecture, we will delve into what is happening to Korean literature and culture lately, how they manage to be “glittering” overseas, enjoying global popularity across boundaries, and what kind of radical social change South Korea has gone through since the Korean War.

Speaker Bio: Professor Seong-kon Kim, Professor Emeritus of Seoul National University and President of the Literary Translation Institute of Korea (a ministerial appointment with the Government of the Republic of Korea), is currently in residence at GW as CCAS Dean’s Global Distinguished Scholar in the Humanities. An internationally renowned author, translator, and literary critic, Professor Kim is widely recognized as a pioneer in postmodernism, post-colonialism, and cultural studies in Korea.

Political Economy of Reform in North Korea with Kevin Gray

February 8, 2018April 1, 2020Archived EventsLeave a Comment

Political Economy of Reform in North Korea

with Kevin Gray

Thursday, February 22, 2018

12:00-2:30 pm

Lindner Commons, Room 602

The Elliott School of International Affairs

1957 E St., NW

Washington, D.C 20052

RSVP:

https://goo.gl/forms/WLeWk7XTvY30Q8zN2

This event is co-sponsored with the

GW Institute for Korean Studies

Speaker: Kevin Gray, University of Sussex and Woodrow Wilson Center

Discussant: Joongho Kim, Visiting Scholar, GW Institute for Korean Studies

Lunch will be provided. This event is on the record and open to the media.

This event is a part PISA’s series on Principled Engagement with North Korea. The series will culminate in a day-long conference on March 28th, 2018.

Please email pisa@gwu.edu for further inquiries.

Film-Screening “Secret State of North Korea: Explore Life Under Kim Jong-Un”

January 30, 2018July 29, 2021Archived EventsLeave a Comment

GWIKS was proud to host a film screening of “Secret State of North Korea: Explore Life Under
Kim Jong-Un” and a Q&A panel with North Korean defector students from Hana Foundation’s Leadership
Program. The event took place on January 24 with a dinner reception of traditional Korean cuisine. Over
250 guests including students, faculty, and non-GWU affiliated guests attended the event, one of the
highest turnouts for a GWIKS event.
Director Jisoo M. Kim started the screening with warm opening remarks, thanking all audience
members and program participants for making the event possible. Afterwards, Shin Hyo Sook, the Head
of Department of Educational Development, gave an introductory talk about Hana Foundation and their
mission to aid North Korean refugees in South Korea.
The hour-long screening of Frontline’s “Secret State of North Korea” depicted the harsh living
conditions of many people in North Korea. Interviews of North Korean refugees revealed detailed
personal accounts of hunger and torture in North Korea. Some of them were shown working alongside
activist groups in South Korea in order to smuggle DVD’s and radios after moving to South Korea.
According to the activists and statistical reports, the influence of foreign media had a great influence
and popularity on North Korean citizens.
A Q&A followed the screening with Professor Gregg A. Brazinsky moderating the panel. The
audience members were asked to write down questions for the defector students who answered from a
selection with the assistance of an interpreter. Many audience members were curious about everyday
life in North Korea, one member asking how easy it was to travel within the country. Others asked their thoughts regarding reunification. The students answered to the best of their knowledge and offered valuable insight and thoughts on a variety of related issues.
The end of the Q&A was met with a round of applause from the audience and many thanks from
Hana Foundation and GWIKS. The popularity of the event speaks to the high level of interest in North
Korea-related topics and dedication to opening up more discourse on the issue of the division. We hope
to see everyone again at our upcoming events!

Written by Soo-jin Kweon

Sergei Kurbanov: “North Korea in Modernization: Economy, Politics, and Social Life”

January 30, 2018July 29, 2021Archived EventsLeave a Comment

On January 26, 2018, the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures hosted the Kim-Renaud East Asian Humanities Lecture Series regarding modernization in North Korea, co-sponsored by the GW Institute for Korean Studies (GWIKS). The talk featured Professor Sergei O. Kurbanov from the St. Petersburg University, who is currently a visiting scholar at GWIKS. Professor Kurbanov offered a unique insight into North Korea that he lamented as gaining far too little attention in U.S. public perception.

Professor Kurbanov began the discussion by noting that we often live in the world of our own myths, and thus, it is imperative to deconstruct these myths so that we are able to make astute decisions grounded upon facts. While many observers focus on North Korea’s “modern” history of roughly 70 years, Prof. Kurbanov emphasized that the country’s history dates back to 5000 years ago, beginning with Ancient Joseon (Gojoseon). In the minds of North Koreans, there is much more to their way of life and their history than their leadership, given how their traditions, literature, language, art, and values stem back to thousands of years ago.

Prof. Kurbanov then discussed North Korea’s more recent history, starting from the 1940s, which he argued as being a relatively free society with freedom of speech, thinking, and assembly. Before the outbreak of the Korean War, the northern provinces featured numerous political parties and factions, intellectuals espousing various schools of thought, and private ownership of small and medium enterprises. Even after the War, there was a short period in which pluralism existed.

The 1990s was a period of forced isolation for North Korea, given the fall of the Soviet Union and the Eastern bloc. Thus, in the early 2000s and until 2011, North Korea sought to improve relations with South Korea, China, Russia, and the United States. In light of this historical background, Prof. Kurbanov argued that North Korea has always been more nationalistic than truly communist. Contrary to the dynasties of Korea’s long history, he asserted that it would be incorrect to label the Kim regime as dynastic, as each successive leader of the DPRK has occupied a political position different from the previous leader. Furthermore, given North Korea’s place in East Asia, where neighboring countries of South Korea, Japan, and China are making strides in economic, technological, and scientific innovation, he claimed that North Korea has similar ambitions.

Having established this background, Prof. Kurbanov proceeded to discuss his observation of scientific, technological, and cultural modernization in North Korea. Specifically within the context of the capital of Pyongyang, he noted the widespread use of cellphones (smartphones), computers, tablets, solar-powered batteries, banking cards, and taxis. Market mechanisms were very much active, with vendors selling goods, car owners paying for parking, and businessmen and women moving about. Prof. Kurbanov also observed the prevalence of children carrying drinking water around (which he noted was unseen when he was growing up in the USSR), soju (which had been introduced to North Korea through interactions with the South), religious institutions such as a Buddhist monastery and a Russian orthodox church (whatever their real objectives may be), and popular trends in fashion and style.

Perhaps what was most interesting among his many examples was the widespread popularity of American culture, with children avidly watching dubbed Disney animations and donning Mickey Mouse shirts. Thus, Prof. Kurbanov strongly emphasized that North Koreans do not see Americans as enemies, but rather as potential friends. Despite the rhetoric adopted by the North Korean leadership and the media, as well as the strong public sentiment against what has been framed as American imperialism, the average North Korean enjoys American popular culture and is curious to learn more.

Prof. Kurbanov shared various photos to elucidate his points and offered a unique look into the country based on his personal experience living and working there. He highlighted the importance of arriving at a common understanding of North Korea. In regards to tackling the politico-diplomatic and nuclear problem presented by the country, he offered three steps the U.S. could take toward resolution: (1) guarantee North Korea that the U.S. will not invade, (2) invite North Korea into the U.S. defense system, and (3) begin talks after these two proposals are put forth.

Written by Bomie Lee