“Reasons Behind the Strained Inter-Korean Relations and Ways to Improve Inter-Korean Relations” and “The Conclusion of a Korean Peace Treaty and the U.S. Strategy in the Asia Pacific Region”

ASIA FORUM with Mr. So Ki Sok and Mr. Ho Hak Rim

“Reasons Behind the Strained Inter-Korean Relations and Ways to Improve Inter-Korean Relations” and “The Conclusion of a Korean Peace Treaty and the U.S. Strategy in the Asia Pacific Region”

Friday, November 18, 2011, 10:00 – 11:30

“Reasons behind the strained inter-Korean relations and ways to improve inter-Korean relations”
Inter-Korean relations had developed amicably towards national reunification for almost eight years after the proclamation of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration in 2000. But inter-Korean relations have deteriorated significantly since the appearance of the new government in South Korea because of the theory of “unification by absorption” favored by the South Korean authorities.

To improve inter-Korean relations in the future, the South Korean authorities should abandon their ambition for “reunification by absorption.”

Mr. So Ki Sok is a senior researcher and Director for the Division of External Affairs at the Institute for Disarmament and Peace, Pyongyang, DPRK. He is a guest researcher at ISDP.

“The Conclusion of a Korean Peace Treaty a and the U.S. Strategy in the Asia Pacific Region”
Almost 60 years since the ceasefire, the Korean peninsula continues to be tormented by the evil circle of tension and confrontation. The DPRK wants to move forward with the international society by concentrating on economic development in a peaceful environment. It has been incorporated into the DPRK’s proposal for the conclusion of a peace treaty set out early last year.

Ho Hak Rim is a researcher at the Institute for Disarmament and Peace, Pyongyang, DPRK, and a guest researcher at ISDP. He writes on the reasons why a peace treaty has not yet been reached by analyzing current and historical facts of the U.S.’s intentions for realizing its Asia-Pacific strategy.

Location: ISDP, Västra Finnbodavägen 2, Stockholm-Nacka. For a map and directions, please go here.

To attend: RSVP to Ms. Ebba Mårtensson at emartensson@isdp.eu