Symposium
Berlin-Seoul-Pyongyang - capital cities in functional comparison

The event started with an opening ceremony, where the program and presentation process was shortly introduced. Dr. Seliger was the first who delivered a presentation with recommendations for the Seoul – Pyongyang urban exchange through the experience of exchanges between Germany and North Korea, introducing shortly about Hanns-Seidel Foundation and emphasizing their capacity-building and limits of those. Dr. Seliger indicates the need for cooperation through trilateral cooperation, namely indirect cooperation of South Korea and North Korea through Germany. Supporting North Korea’s membership in international organizations, providing international training and scholarships for North Korean students, propose joint research military projects , as well as small projects in North Korea, were some proposals. Aside from educational exchange, there could also be international aid with the financial help of ROK, political and economic engagement. 

All participants had a general discussion where everyone exchanged the topic’s main ideas. Kim Kwang-hee, Dean of Seongnam Polytechnic University, mentioned the need of enhancing interest in young people to act. Cho Hyun-sung, Senior Researcher at the Korea Institute of Culture and Tourism spoke about actions toward an exchange, and the importance to take action as soon as possible. There is a lot of research but still no action.

As a result, everyone agreed that one must think in all areas of exchange, such as focusing on culture, the history of Korea, as well as its people.