SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, OCT 14th
THURSDAY, OCT 15th
Day 1 Schedule
9:30-11:20 Special Graduate Student Seminar (Yonsei GSIS/Johns Hopkins/YINKS)
11:00-11:30 Registration 19F
11:30-13:30 Opening Ceremony & Luncheon (Brahms Hall, 19F)
14:00-15:30 // Session 1 Challenges & Evolution of North Korean Studies (Schubert Hall, 31F)
15:30-15:45 // Coffee Break
15:45-17:15pm // Session 2 North Korea as a Nuclear Power
17:15-17:30 Coffee Break
North Korean Studies 20 Years On
19:00-21:00 // 20 Year Anniversary Reception
Day 2 Schedule
12:30 // Registration, Coffee & mingling
13:30-14:45 // Session 3 Capitalism in North Korea
15:30-15:45 // Coffee Break
15:45-:16:30 // Session 4 North Korea's Friends
16:30-17:30 // Comprehensive Discussion & Closing
Panel 1: Challenges & Evolution of North Korean Studies (Schubert Hall, 31F)
North Korea is one of the most mysterious nation states on earth. The control of the flow of information out of the country by the state is unparalleled in earth’s history. This creates a huge difficulty for scholars studying North Korea and indeed it casts suspicion on the very idea of a North Korean expert. After all, how can anyone claim to have the full picture of any aspect of North Korea? Therefore, it requires some creative problem solving to overcome this issue. This panel’s aim is to discuss some ways scholars might have of bridging the information gaps and bringing new methodological methods to reinvigorate the field.
Panel 2: North Korea as a Nuclear Power
Unfortunately, 25 years of dealing with North Korea has not yielded a solution to the nuclear issue. With the enshrining of North Korea’s status as a nuclear power in their constitution, many do not see a solution to the North Korean nuclear issue. North Korea does not want to give up nuclear weapons and the six party talks members do not seem to be willing to offer enough to make them change their minds. In light of this impasse, there should be a discussion of what accepting North Korea as a nuclear power would mean. In likelihood, the importance of economic co-operation would come to the fore to ensure the stability of the regime. This would require better relations with North Koreaon the part of South Korea and the US, at least if they want to play a role in the process. Could this be the solution to the long drawn out problem?
Panel 3: Capitalism in North Korea
Recently, there has been a great deal of interest in businesses in North Korea. How they function, the challenges they face, and how successful they are are all points of interest. In addition, the recent semi privatization of agriculture also has created interest in how this marketization has occurred and how it is progressing. This goes against typical research on North Korea focused on the failures of the state run economy and ways to save the North Korean economy. Furthermore, it shows that reform in North Korea may be more possible than the usual pessimistic predictions.
Panel 4: North Korea's Friends
While North Korea is usually viewed as a rogue state with few allies, this is not entirely true. In fact, while six party talks members China and Russia are often portrayed as Pyongyang’s only friends, North Korea has normalized ties and diplomatic missions in a number of countries. Recent articles in NKR have examined North Korea’s relationship with Mongolia and Sweden. Therefore, this panel hopes to shed light on the often ignored side of North Korea, it’s diplomacy. By discussing how other states created and maintain good relations with Pyongyang it is hoped that there may be some insight gained into how relations with North Korea may be pursued in a constructive way.