Passionate discussion of Korea-China relations at Hongling Chinese Culture Salon

On September 27, 2017, the Hongling Culture Salon, a bimonthly gathering which offers an opportunity for Koreans, Chinese and other residents of Seoul to discuss current issues in Chinese language, held a special meeting on the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of the normalization of normalization of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Korea.

The Hongling Culture Salon is organized by the Asia Institute, Kyung Hee University Cyber University and the Confucius Institute of Kyung Hee University. The seminar was our thirteenth such event.

I was tapped to lead an honest and at times, moving debate among the 50 individuals who gathered for the salon. We had much to discuss granted the aggressive approach of the Trump administration towards North Korea and China and the tragic impact of the deployment of THAAD in South Korea over the objections of the Chinese government.

Many attending were Chinese who have lived in Korea for many years, or Koreans who have lived in China for many years, in most cases with husbands or wives from the other country. The speakers expressed both tremendous enthusiasm about the potential for real cooperation in just about every field, a deep sadness that political circumstances had done so much damage, and desire to explore new routes forward.

Read more

 

Asia Institute Seminar:

“A Republic of Korea Greater than Koreans imagined”

Is it possible?

Friday, October 27, 2017

7－9 PM

Discussion led by

Emanuel Pastreich

Director

The Asia Institute

Location:

KT Olleh Square Innovation/Economy/Renovation Center

(First Floor of KT Building, Gwanghwamun [next to US Embassy])

(광화문 KT 올레스퀘어  창조경제 혁신센터 회의실

 

 

The Republic of Korea is faced with overwhelming challenges from the current economic collapse, the breakdown of an equitable society under pressure from an aging population and the unequal distribution of wealth and the constant pressure of climate change.

The problems are almost overwhelming, although few want to discuss them. Yet, might there not be some opportunities beneath the surface in Korean know-how, in the Korean culture and in the remarkable vitality of Korean youth? Join us for a open discussion with Emanuel Pastreich, director of the Asia Institute and author of the recent best-selling book, “A Republic of Korea Greater than Koreans imagined.”

 

 

Asia Institute Seminar

Saturday, June 17, 2017

5-6:30 PM

 

Rahul Raj

Professor

Sejong University

 

“India’s Strategic Interests in East Asia”

 

 

Introductory Remarks:

Emanuel Pastreich

Director

The Asia Institute

 

 

Asia Institute Chungmuro Office

8^th Floor

24, Chungmuro 11-gil Jung-gu Seoul, Korea

 

중구충무로 11길 24번지 8층

02 2277-7132

 

 

India has taken a deeper interest in East Asia as it strives to define its new global role. This seminar will consider what India is looking for, who are the different parties competing to define India’s strategy and what are the prospects for the future.

Although India’s engagement with East Asia dates back to thousands of years, much of the developments in the realm of the business and strategic relations developed in the post-1990s to project itself as a regional power when it opened its market and launched its “Look East Policy”. Under this policy, it initiated forging several economic and commercial ties and also enhanced security partnerships with like-minded countries who are concerned with the increasing influence of China in the region. In the early years, the Look East Policy was primarily focused on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). India has since expanded the geographic domain of its policy to include Korea, Japan, China, and Australia.

As the power balance is moving from the western hemisphere to Asia-pacific region wherein the rise of China and the US’s pivot to Asia define the foreign policy debate in many countries, New Delhi has also crafted its foreign policy to stay abreast. The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi led government soon after its emphatic victory in 2014 re-crafted the India’s “Look East Policy” to “Act East Policy” wherein it has sought to actively engage the Asian partners both from the economic as well as security perspective. This can be gauged by the fact that Asia has become one of the most focused areas of the present government. The Modi government has forged and revitalized several strategic partnerships and also tried to put impetus in the existing partnerships with countries which had lost its sheen due to India’s own policy paralysis in the last few years. The strategic interest is not only confined to military but it also includes economic interests. India is the second biggest market with its rapidly ballooning middle class wherein most of the Asian tigers including Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, and many others have huge strategic interests in the world’s fastest growing economy.