The 12th Japan-Korea Millennium Forum took place in Korea University (KU) from November 13 to 14. Hosted by the Ilmin International Relations Institute, the Millennium Forum—officially named “Towards 2025: Preparing for the Next 12 Years of Japan-Korea Relations”—was held in the Global Conference Hall at the Centennial Memorial Samsung Hall at KU. Its main goals were to discuss how to secure amicable relations between Korea and Japan in the future, not to mention encourage intellectual exchange, and promote cooperation among the four participating universities. The Forum enjoyed active participation from professors of KU and Yonsei University (YU), not to mention Waseda University and Keio University, two prestigious universities of Japan.

 

   
▲ Keynote speech of Professor Emritus Han Sung-Joo of Korea University, former Minister of Foreign Affairs. Photographed by Byun Bo Kyung.

The sponsor of this bilateral event is the Ilmin International Relations Institute (IIRI), a research institute that operates under the name of KU. Located on campus at the fifth floor of the Incheon Memorial Building, it was founded on April 1995 to research various problems concerning international relations and regional disputes. It also seeks to preclude future disputes by securing international exchange and cooperation, proposing diplomatic alternatives during times of disagreements, and educating intelligent, talented people needed in the globalized world. To achieve these goals, the IIRI undertakes various research activities and joint projects concerning current international issues, and hosts conferences and workshops—the Millennium Forum being but one of them.

 

   
▲ Professors from Korea, Yonsei, Waseda, and Keio University at the opening ceremony of the 12th Millennium Forum. Photographed by Byun Bo Kyung.

Over the course of two days, five sessions took place. “The Future of Japan-Korea Cooperation: The Positive Role of Universities in Both Japan and Korea,” took place on the first day of the forum, while “Reflecting on the Past 12 Years of Accomplishments,” “Political Session: North Korea and the Future of Northeast Asian Security,” “Economic Session: Creative Economy and ‘Abe-nomics,’” and “Student Session: Cultural Issues Between Japan and Korea” took place on the second.

The origin of the Forum can be traced back to a forum held in 2002, at Waseda University in Japan. The four participating private universities have since then took turns hosting the event.

 

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