Time:2007/11/12 

June, 11, 2007, the forum on “Nuclear North Korea, Security Dynamics and Regional Transition in Future” opened at School of International Studies, Peking University. Representatives from Peking University, Renmin University, Center for Peace and Development Studies (CPDS), The Ministry of Science and Technology, Harvard University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, Boston College, University of Maryland, Union of Concerned Scientists, University of Tokyo, Ritsumeikan University, Meiji University, Korea University, Yonsei University, Dankook University were among the institutes/organized represented at the academic conference, along with several academic associations and governmental organizations, scholars and professors.

The forum was conducted over a period of four days, divided into two parts. The first part was conducted at the School of International Studies, Peking University, focusing on topics such as the analysis of nuclear issues of North Korea and South Korea, Developments in East Asian Security, and regional changes in the future. The second part is to be hosted by Liaodong University. Other than facilitating exchange between scholars from the Korean Peninsula research Institute of Liaodong University, the focus of the forum is on understanding the present and future impact of the North Korean Nuclear Issue and border security issues on the northeastern region of China.

The opening ceremony for the forum was presided over by Prof. Zhu Feng, with speeches made by various scholars including: Prof. Wang Jisi, Dean of School of International Studies, Peking University; Dr. Ren Qimin, Director of Center of Peace and Development Research; Kuni Miyake of Risumeikan University; and Prof. Avery Goldstein of University of Pennsylvania. The first part of the forum included the following six topics: "US- Sino-Korean Relations", "North Korean Nuclear Issue", "Six-Party Peace Talks and the Korean Peninsula", "North Korea and Sino-Japanese Relations", "New Four-side Relations among China, US, Japan, and Korea", "Interdependence, Regionalization and its Impact on Security", and "New Principles on Policy". Experts and professors analyzed the North Korean Nuclear Issue in relation to the East-Asian Security state of affairs, from international, domestic, ethnic and cultural standpoints, also making projections of the progress of these issues and suggestions on possible policies.

The first part of the forum has successfully concluded, with fruitful results from the discussion on the six topics mentioned. The group of scholars, professors departed Beijing on June 12 for Dandong, to attend the second portion of the “East Asian Security Roundtable”at Liaodong University. The group is to meet and conduct discussion with the leader and professors of Liaodong University (LU) and the Institute of the Korean Peninsula. The scholars from the US, Japan, and Korea also will conduct discussions with each country’s respective foreign language department at the university. Prof. Zhu Feng of the School of International Studies, Peking University will deliver a lecture to the university’s students and teachers.

This “East Asian Security Roundtable” was organized by the joint efforts of the Center for International and Strategic Studies (CISS), Peking University and the Center for Peace and Development Studies (CPDS), with much support from Liaodong University and China Center for Science & Technology Development. Moreover, this conference is the first large scale international conference put on by CISS since it was first founded.