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ACADEMIC EVENTS
Upcoming Event:
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Wednesday, June 8, 2011 6:45 - 8pm
Avenues of Engagement with North Korea: Lessons Learned and the Way Ahead
EVENT DESCRIPTION:
Event Description:
Today, the catch phrase "we won't buy the same horse twice" is taken as wisdom in dealing with the challenges posed by North Korea. Unfortunately, it is based on the mistaken but all too easily accepted belief that negotiating with the DPRK is an exercise in flim-flammery.
Twinned with that is an assumption, fervently held by many who should know better, that we have, or can garner, enough power to dictate outcomes to the North Koreans. And if they don't do as we insist, the thinking goes, we can wait until they collapse or the Chinese make them come around. Holding our breath until one of those occurs is not recommended, and is certainly not a substitute for a policy.
From 1993-2000, it was clear to us that the North Koreanswanted to talk - but why? We developed a pretty good idea ten years ago as we listened to what they said and observed their reactions over hundreds and hundreds of hours of formal and informal contacts. Nor did we merely listen. We explained, we educated, and on occasion, we pounded the table.
But then, abruptly in 2001, we stopped talking and, apparently, stopped listening. As a result, we have lost a decade in which to deal with the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Not only that, in the bargain we tossed overboard all that we had previously gained. As a result, the situation we face today is much more difficult, our leverage is smaller not greater, and our room for maneuver is even more curtailed. If there was a chance ten years ago that we might have stopped the North from conducting nuclear tests and building a small nuclear arsenal, the game has now vastly changed, and not in our favor.
Ultimately, progress toward our goals in dealing with North Korea depends on how well we understand the North Koreanregime and its views of domestic and foreign policy challenges. If we fail to grasp that North Koreans believe they have their own national interests, then we fall into the trap of thinking we can force them, sweet talk them, or bribe them into doing what we want.
The title we selected for the evening is "Avenues of Engagement with North Korea: Lessons Learned and the Long Way Ahead" In fact, the word "avenue" suggests something broad and grand, much broader and grander than what faces us today. At the moment, in dealing with the North, we're down to a cow path filled with stones, brambles, and whatever it is that the cows leave behind. One key to getting on a better, broader, smoother road is recalling the real lessons of our past experience with the North, not easy to do given the long bout of pernicious national amnesia that has afflicted us over the past ten years. |
Tuesday, April 28, 2011 6:00 - 8:00PM
Sejong Spring Happy Hour!!
$3 Draft Beers / $6 Appetizers / $7 Rail Drinks
At Dirty Martini...
EVENT DESCRIPTION:
The Sejong Society of Washington, DC invites you to meet the board, learn more about the organization, network with other young professionals interested in Korea and celebrate Spring at Dirty Martini !!
We look forward to seeing everyone there!!
METRO ACCESSIBLE
Dupont Circle
Farragut West (BLUE/ORANGE lines)
Farragut North (RED line)
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Location:
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ACADEMIC EVENTS
Last Event:
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Tuesday, March 29, 2011 6:45 - 8:30PM
In Commemoration of International Women's Day:
Women Leaders Working in Korea-Related Fields
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Location:
Johns Hopkins University - SAIS
Rome Building, 1619 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Room 806
Washington, DC 20036
(Closest Metro: Dupont Circle)
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Event Description:
The Sejong Society will be hosting a panel this month in celebration of International Women's Day. We want to highlight the success that women leaders have had over the years of working in Korea-related fields. The Sejong Society would like to address the following questions: what is it like being a woman in a male-dominated field of international relations? How did you overcome the obstacles? What is your opinion of U.S.-Korea affairs and how have you influenced it? What defines good leadership?
Our speakers will answer these questions and more. Come listen to Dr. Katy Oh and Sophia Kang talk about their experience, provide practical suggestions, and insight into U.S.-Korea affairs.
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January Event:
Korean Policy and Asian-American Leadership Forum:
With the Obama Administration passing the two year mark, many officials are vacating their positions leaving opportunities for new ambitious leaders. What does it take to be a serious candidate for these political roles? Although I did not support the Obama campaign or am inexperienced in politics, can I still get an appointee job? How do I find out about new job openings and determine which jobs to apply for?
Our speakers will answer these questions and more. Come listen to current/past political appointees talk about their life experience, provide practical suggestions, and answer your questions.
Whether you are looking for an administration job now or in a few years, come join us.
A light Korean dinner will be served.
Seats are limited
Please RSVP to: ak@keia.org |
Korean Policy and Asian-American Leadership Forum:
With the Obama Administration passing the two year mark, many officials are vacating their positions leaving opportunities for new ambitious leaders. What does it take to be a serious candidate for these political roles? Although I did not support the Obama campaign or am inexperienced in politics, can I still get an appointee job? How do I find out about new job openings and determine which jobs to apply for?
Our speakers will answer these questions and more. Come listen to current/past political appointees talk about their life experience, provide practical suggestions, and answer your questions.
Whether you are looking for an administration job now or in a few years, come join us.
A light Korean dinner will be served.
Seats are limited
Please RSVP to: ak@keia.org |
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The Sejong Society would like to thank
Dr. Colin Bradford,
Dr. Y.S. Park, and
Dr. Stephen Noerper, for joining us again to share their remarks on
"Lead up to the G-20: Korea as a Convener & Innovation Economy" as Co-Hosted with The Korea Society and with Sejong Society members and guests.
Wednesday, June30, 2010
The Sejong Society would like to thank Chris Nelson, of the Nelson Report, for joining us again to share his remarks on
"Cheonan: The Price of Not Hitting Back" with Sejong Society members and guests.
Wednesday, June30, 2010
The Sejong Society would like to thank Chris Nelson, of the Nelson Report, for joining us again to share his remarks on
"Cheonan: The Price of Not Hitting Back" with Sejong Society members and guests.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The Sejong Society would like to thank W. Courtland Robinson, Ph.D. for sharing his remarks on "North Korean Migration and Vulnerability: Research from the China/NK border (1999-2000)"
with Sejong Society members and guests.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Sejong Society thanks Prof. Youngshik Bong of American University for presenting to Sejong members and guests on "the changing dynamcis of homosexual social and political representation in South Korea.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The Sejong Society thanks Changyong Choi for presenting to Sejong members and guests on "North Korea’s Evolving Politics: Focusing on Economic Policy Changes."
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The Sejong Society thanks the guest speakers from the U.S. Department of State, Department of Commerce, Federal Bureau of Investigation, House Foreign Affairs Committee, National Language Service Corps, and defense industry contractor General Dynamics for participating in the Sejong Society Annual Career Panel. We also thank CAPAL and NAAAP-DC for co-sponsoring this event.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The Sejong Society would like to thank JeYeri Kim for discussing reflections on U.S. food assistance programs for North Korea, based on her experience in the DPRK with World Vision.
Monday, March 1, 2010
The Sejong Society would like to thank Je-Sook Song for discussing his book "South Koreans in the Debt Crisis: The Creation of a Neoliberal Welfare Society," as well as American University and JHU-SAIS for co-sponsoring this event.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Sejong Society would like to thank Min Suh Son for sharing her thoughts on "The Predicament of a Cyber-Society: Korea in the Digital Age."
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 6:45 - 8:00PM
"US-Korea Relations in the New Decade"
with Ambassador Thomas Hubbard
The Sejong Society thanks Ambassador Thomas Hubbard for sharing his insights on US - Korea relations in the new decade.
Wednesday November 19, 2009
The Sejong Society thanks Dr. Jeff Schott, of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, for delivering remarkson the impact and consequences of free trade agreements, especially in the relationship between Korea and the United States.
Wednesday September 9, 2009
The Sejong Society of Washington, D.C. thanks Dr. John Park, Senior Research Associate (Northeast Asia), Center for Conflict Analysis and Prevention at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., for discussing the potential impact of financial sanctions on North Korea.
Thursday July 9, 2009
"North Korea Policy: The Contradictions Set In"
The Sejong Society of Washington, DC thanks Christopher Nelson, of "The Nelson Report," for sharing his thoughts on U.S. North Korea Policy..
Monday, May 11, 2009
"The Future of the Six Party Talks: A View from Civil Society"
The Sejong Society of Washington, DC thanks Wooksik Cheong, Akira Kawasaki, and John Fefferfor sharing their insight on the future of the Six Party Talks. We would also like to thank our co-sponsor Foreign Policy In Focus for their Help in organizing and setting up the event.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 "USG Jobs in Asian Affairs: A Career Development Panel " The Sejong Society of Washington, DC thanks representatives from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, Energy, and Central Intelligence Agency for sharing their career development experience and for offering advice to our audience members on working for the U.S. Government, in particular related to Asian Affairs. We would also like to thank our co-sponsors, the Conference on Asia Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) and the Washington, DC chapter of the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP), for their Help in organizing and setting up the event.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
" "Opening a Heavy Door: The Economic Policy Challenge of Foreign Investment in Korea ,"
with Dr. Arthur Alexander
The Sejong Society of Washington, DC thanks Dr. Arthur Alexander, Mitsui adjunct professor on Japan at Georgetown University and lecturer at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, for sharing comments on the subject of the changing nature of foreign direct investment in the Republic of Korea.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
"Beyond the Final Score: The Politics of Sport in Asia"
with Dr. Victor Cha
The Sejong Society of Washington, DC thanks Dr. Victor Cha, director of Asian Studies at Georgetown University, for sharing comments on the subject of his new book, Beyond the Final Score: The Politics of Sport in Asia, examining how Asian athletics are bound up with notions of national identity and nationalism, refracting political intent and the processes of globalization. .
Thursday, December 4, 2008
"Juche Revealed: An Inside Look at North Korea's Ruling Philosophy,"
with Kim Hyun Sik
The Sejong Society extends its sincere gratitude to Prof. Kim Hyun Sik, a veteran of the Korean War, former professor at Pyongyang University of Education and former tutor to Kim Jong Il, for providing remarks on the North Korean educational system and the origins of Juche as the North Korean state ideology. We also thank Professor Youngshik Bong of American University for translating Prof. Kim's remarks and for serving as moderator during discussion.
November 12, 2008
"Dealing with a Post-Kim DPRK," with Michael J. Mazarr
The Sejong Society of Washington, DC would like to thank Michael Mazarr for sharing his insights on how the U.S. and the international community must deal with North Korea as Kim Jong Il passes from the scene. Our sincere thanks also to Sejong Society members, officers and guests for attending the event and participating in a lively discussion with Dr. Mazarr.
October 14, 2008
"Balancing Act"
The Sejong Society would like to thank Prof. Tong Kim for sharing his thoughts on the foreign policy and first year of the Lee Myung Bak administration in the Republic of Korea. Professor Kim provided insights on Lee's election as president, his political leadership style and struggles with U.S.-Korea relations during a serious domestic crisis.
September 11, 2008
"North Korea Opens"
The Sejong Society thanks Dr. Marcus Noland, Senior Fellow with the Peterson Institute for International Economics, for sharing his thoughts and his research on the events and policies that have contributed to a largely unplanned and unintended marketization of the North Korean economy.
August 14, 2008
"Understanding the Real North Korea"
The Sejong Society would like to thank Mr. Kim Dong-su - a North Korean defector, former official in North Korea's Foreign Ministry, and current Senior Research Fellow at South Korea's Institute of National Security Strategy - for presenting his personal life story and his views on North Korea's domestic and foreign policy strategy.
July 23, 2008
"U.S. Relations with Korea and China in an Obama or McCain Administration"
The Sejong Society thanks Mr. Christopher Nelson, Senior Vice President of Samuels International Associates and Editor and Publisher of "The Nelson Report," for his analysis of U.S. policy toward Korea and China under the next President.
June 25, 2008
"Perspectives on North Korea' s Financial System"
The Sejong Society thanks Mr. Bradley Babson, Independent Consultant and former Senior Advisor for the World Bank, for his analysis of North Korea's financial system and the economic assistance that North Korea could receive after the U.S. eases sanctions as part of the ongoing nuclear negotiations.
June 11, 2008
"North Korea's Relations with China and Japan: The Impact on Northeast Asia"
The Sejong Society thanks Mr. L. Gordon Flake, Executive Director of the Mansfield Foundation, and Scott Snyder, Senior Associate at the Asia Foundation, for their analysis of North Korea's relations with China and Japan. The event was co-sponsored with the UNA-NCA Young Professionals for International Cooperation.
May 13, 2008
"The Future of the Six Party Talks: A Report from Pyongyang and Beijing"
The Sejong Society thanks Dr. K. A. "Tony" Namkung for his report on his mid-April trip to Pyongyang, where he and a small group of Americans held discussions with North Korea's Foreign Ministry and Korean Peoples Army representatives. He discussed the future of bilateral U.S.-DPRK and multilateral negotiations, North Korea's relations with other parties to the Six Party Talks, and the role of Track II diplomacy.
April 10, 2008
"Ideas on U.S.-Russian Cooperation in Korean Affairs"
The Sejong Society thanks Dr. Georgy Toloraya for sharing his thoughts on Russia's historic and current role on the Korean peninsula and Russia's potential for assisting with the Six-Party Talks. Dr. Toloraya is a career diplomat for Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and currently a visiting scholar at the Brookings Institution.
March 12, 2008
"Learning Mistrust: North Korea and Its Allies during the Soviet Era"
The Sejong Society thanks Dr. Kathryn Weathersby for her overview of the most important episodes in the evolution of North Korea's alliance relationships and her analysis of how these experiences created Pyongyang's distinctive and problematic worldview. She is currently a Visiting Scholar at the U.S.-Korea Institute at SAIS and was formerly the Director of the Korea Initiative of the Cold War International History Project at the Woodrow Wilson Center.
February 20, 2008
"Seven Tasks for Korea's New President"
The Sejong Society thanks Peter Beck, Executive Director of the U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK), for his engaging commentary on the future of South Korea and inter-Korean relations under President Lee Myung-bak. He also discussed HRNK's work focusing on human rights abuses in North Korea.
January 17, 2008
"At the Hub of Asia: Confronting South Korea's Future under President-Elect Lee"
The Sejong Society thanks author and journalist Donald Kirk for sharing his insights on South Korean President-Elect Lee Myung Bak based upon 35 years of experience as a Korea observer. Mr. Kirk drew upon his past interviews with the president-elect and his analysis of South Korea's economy in his books Korean Crisis: Unraveling of the Miracle in the IMF Era and Korean Dynasty: Hyundai and Chung Ju Yung.
November 15, 2007
"Next Steps with North Korea: Negotiating on Energy"
The Sejong Society thanks the Hon. Robert Gallucci, Dean of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, for his engaging commentary of the ongoing Six-Party Talks on North Korea's nuclear programs. Dr. Gallucci also discussed his own experiences negotiating with North Korea as President Clinton's lead Ambassador to the talks that lead to the 1994 Agreed Framework.
October 24, 2007
United Nations Week 2007: Panel Session on “Climate Change Policy in a post-Kyoto Protocol World”
The Sejong Society thanks the panel participants and all those who attended United Nations Week's session on climate change, which was co-hosted by the United Nations Association - National Capital Area's (UNA-NCA) Young Professionals for International Cooperation.
October 18, 2007
Book Release - Glocalization: The Human Side of Globalization as if the Washington Consensus Mattered
The Sejong Society congratulates Dr. Patrick Mendis, Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Osgood Center for International Studies, on the publication of his new academic travelogue. Dr. Mendis shared his first-hand observations on globalization, and he provided his analysis of the economic cooperation model provided by North and South Korea.
September 19, 2007
Book Release - Red Rogue: The Persistent Challenge of North Korea
The Sejong Society congratulates Dr. Bruce Bechtol, Associate Professor at the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, on the publication of his new book. Dr. Bechtol commented on his book's analysis of the changing nature of North Korea's national defense, foreign policy, and illicit economic activities in the post-9/11 era.
September 13, 2007
"North Korean Law: Reaching Out in All Directions"
The Sejong Society thanks Professor Marion Spina, a partner at Roberts Mlotkowski & Hobbes and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center, who spoke on the evolution of North Korea's legal system and increasing interaction with the global economy.
July 18, 2007
"The Future of U.S. Policy Towards the Korean Peninsula"
The Sejong Society thanks Professor W. David Straub, a former 30-year U.S. Foreign Service Officer and currently a visiting professor at Seoul National University, who provided remarks on the potential for U.S.-Korea specialists, leadership, and the future of U.S.-Korea relations after the South Korean elections in 2007, and U.S. presidential elections in 2008.
July 11, 2007
"Public Health in North Korea: A Decade of Humanitarian Experience"
The Sejong Society thanks Dr. Stephen W. Linton, Chairman of the EugeneBell Foundation, who shared his experiences in founding his non-profit organization to help improve healthcare for North Korean citizens. Dr. Linton's untiring efforts to provide basic health services is a testament to his leadership for helping to resolve tuberculosis, and other health-related issues in the impoverished country.
June 13, 2007
"The World Bank and the Korean Peninsula"
The Sejong Society thanks Dr. Joong-Kyung Choi, Executive Director at the World Bank, for his lecture to Sejong Society members. Dr. Choi provided analysis regarding the possibility of North Korea joining the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and other international financial institutions.
May 21, 2007
"U.S.-Korea Relations: Celebrating 125 Years of Friendship"
In coordination with the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University SAIS, and the KORUS House at the Korean Embassy, the Sejong Society hosted a an event commemorating 125 years of relations between Korea and the United States.
The event featured remarks by guest speakers Korean Ambassador Lee Tae-Shik, Mr. Don Oberdorfer (Chairman of the U.S.-Korea Institute at SAIS and author of The Two Koreas, Mr. Carl Gershman, (President of the National Endowment for Democracy), and Dr. John Endicott (Professor at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology). The event also featured a cultural demonstration of the kayageum (가야금) by perfomer Yang Sung-Hee, and opera performances commemorating U.S.-Korea relations.
April 18, 2007
"The U.S. and the Korean Peninsula: A View From the Hill"
The Sejong Society would like to thank Mr. Keith Luse, Senior Professional Staff Member on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, for providing his views on Congress and U.S. policy towards North and South Korea.
March 7, 2007
"Free Trade Pacts in Northeast Asia"
The Sejong Society sincerely appreciates Minister Seok-young Choi from the Korean Embassy, Minister Hiroaki Ishii from the Japanese Embassy, and Mrs. Amy Jackson from C&M International for their remarks on the KORUS FTA, the possibility of a U.S.-Japan FTA, and negotiations on the initial stages of a China, South Korea, and Japan Investment Pact.
February 21, 2007
"China and the Korean Peninsula"
The Sejong Society thanks Mr. Scott Snyder from the Asia Society and Dr. Phillip Saunders from National Defense University for providing insightful analysis on relations between China and Korea.
January 18, 2007
"The European Union and the Korean Peninsula"
The Sejong Society thanks Mrs. Claudia Delmas-Schrer from the French Embassy, Mr. Joost Schmallenbach from the German Embassy, and Mrs. Claudia Pinto from the EU Commission for providing our members with insightful remarks on the EU and Korea.
November 16, 2006
"Anti-Americanism in Korea: A Brief History of U.S.-Korea Relations"
The Sejong Society thanks Dr. Christine Kim of Georgetown University for providing our members with an enjoyable lecture on the history of anti-Americanism in Korea.
October 18, 2006
"Korea and Japan: How Do Their Relations Affect U.S. Policy in Northeast Asia?"
The Sejong Society thanks Dr. Michael Green, former Director for Asian Affairs at the National Security Council, for his extremely insightful remarks, and for a very engaging Q&A session.
October 10, 2006
"Are They Getting the Story Right?: U.S. and Chinese Media Reporting of the Korean Peninsula"
The Sejong Society would like extend a special thank you to Mr. John Feffer and Ms. Yun Sun for providing an extraordinary presentation on media perceptions of the Korean Peninsula.
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