A Korea-China joint academic conference was held on Nov. 26 in Seoul. It was part of celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Korean independence and the end of World War II.
The Northeast Asian History Foundation (NAHF) and the Institution of International Relations (IIRS), part of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS), co-hosted the conference. It was titled “70 Years After World War II: Political Power and International Relations in Northeast Asia and the Region’s Future for Collaboration.” Some 20 academics from Korea and China discussed the consequences and implications of Korean independence and the ending of World War II, and discussed how to tackle potential conflicts and risks across Northeast Asia while keeping peace in the region.
A Korea-China joint conference, ’70 Years After World War II: Political Power and International Relations in Northeast Asia and the Region’s Future for Collaboration,’ is held on Nov. 26 in Seoul. Attendees discussed the impacts and implications of the end of World War II and Korea’s independence, along with paths that could lead toward future peace in Northeast Asia.
In his opening speech, NAHF President Kim Hosup displayed his concern that potential conflict exists in the relationship between Korea and China, though he also praised the two countries for having developed their relationship very quickly over the past 20 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. The president hoped that this conference would contribute to the ability to predict, prevent and manage any future conflict that might occur in the Korea-China relationship, as well as toward closer cooperation between the two countries.
Executive Director Liu Ming of the IIRS began his speech by talking about the modern history of Northeast Asia. Welcoming the recent summit between the Korean and Chinese leaders, the director added that he hoped that the two countries would quickly ratify the Korea-China free trade agreement.
The NAHF and the SASS have been holding annual conferences since 2013. This year’s conference is their third and the second was held in Shanghai last year.
By Chang Iou-chung, Jeon Han
Korea.net Staff Writers
Photos: Jeon Han
icchang@korea.kr
NAHF President Kim Hosup (top) and Executive Director Liu Ming of the IIRS (bottom) speak during the joint conference on Nov. 26.
NAHF President Kim Hosup (left) and Executive Director Liu Ming of the IIRS (right) exchange gifts prior to the NAHF-SASS joint conference on Nov. 26. The NAHF and SASS have been holding annual joint conferences since 2013.
