5th Tongil Hankuk Forum (United Korea Forum)

The First Session discussed the latest North Korean nuclear and missile tests and their political impacts. The first presentation was given by Dr. Lee Chun-Keun, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Science and Technology. Dr. Lee Chun-Keun gave a detailed report on North Korea’s nuclear test.

The second presentation gave insights about the threats of North Korean long-range missiles to South Korea and was held by Dr. Moon Keun-shik, Head of Defence and Security Forum. To his mind threats from North Korea raise people’s wish for nuclear armament in South Korea.

The second session was about the tense relations between China and the United States of America resulting from North Korea’s nuclear test. Dr. Shin Chung-Ho, Head of the Division for Unification Policy at Korean Institute for National Unification, explained the historical development of the Sino-US relations. Presently, there are a lot of conflicts, e.g. South China Sea issue and the planned deployment of the US missile defence system (THAAD) in South Korea. Even though both countries agree on the denuclearisation of North Korea, they disagree on the applicable methods.

Prof. Kim Hung-Gu, Dean of the Institute for China studies at Ajou University, pointed out that the Korean question is no longer an inter-Korean matter but it is an issue of interest to international politics. Chinas growing influence (economically, politically and militarily) is leading to intensified competition with the United States in North-East Asia. South Korea has to decide which side it is on. Moreover, South Korea needs more independent military power. The continuing nuclear armament of North Korea makes it impossible to establish normal, peaceful relations between DPR Korea and Republic of Korea.