Seminar focuses on East Asian security

Korean-U.S. Security Research Commission, led by co-chairs Yoo Yang-Soo and the former Korea-U.S. Joint Forces Commander Robert Senewald, attended the International Security Seminar held at the Plaza Hotel in Seoul on Oct. 26 under the banner, "Korea and East Asia -- 50 Years Since the War."

Sponsored by this daily, Dong-A Ilbo, 40 domestic and international experts on security issues including the chairman of the Heritage Foundation, Edwin Fuelner, voiced their opinions concerning various important issues such as the historical transformation and development of the relationship between South and North Korea, the peace and stability of the East Asian region and the factors contributing to the continued development and cooperation for the security cooperation.

"The recent strides in the development of relationship between North Korea and the U.S. have been made possible by the reconciliatory mood fostered by the inter-Korean Summit." South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Lee Joung-Binn said through the keynote address. "South Korea and the U.S. have agreed that it will be necessary to work toward mutual development of South-North and North-U.S. ties."

Professor Lee Chung-Hee of the Korean Foreign Language University said: "For democracy to be firmly rooted in Korea, we still face a long journey. How well the issue of regionalism can be resolved might be the key that decides the success or failure of national unification.¡±

An editorial writer for Dong-A Ilbo Kim Jae-Hong said: "The human and political rights enjoyed by the European might be things of great extravagance. The ideals of religious freedom, traveling and the freedom to choose work are less important than having the right to live and not starve, as well as being guaranteed the right to live.¡±

Professor Park Dong-Hwan, a professor at Northwestern University, said: "Although the leaders in Pyongyang and the South Korean government might prefer the U.S. Democratic Party candidate Al Gore over Republican candidate George W. Bush, no matter who becomes president, the policy toward North Korea will remain mostly the same.¡±

The seminar is scheduled to last until Oct. 27, with debate topics such as the examination of the economic situation and the changes in economy and the views of neighboring superpowers toward Korea.

Boo Hyung-Kwon bookum90@donga.co