Seoul ASEM Institute for International Relations

1. Seoul ASEM Institute for International Relations • Unification of Korea and the EU development constitute the focus of the 21st century • The growth of Eurasian collaboration tightens the relationship between Far East and Europe • In light of globalization, Asia-Europe cooperation may be the only alternative to growing Americanization

2. Seoul ASEM Institute for International Relations • ASEM was inaugurated in 1996 to create a new partnership between Asia and Europe. It has sister relationships with the Korean Society of Contemporary European Studies, and the Korean Association for Political and Diplomatic History • Summit-level meetings have been held biennially by the state leaders • The 2000 Seoul ASEM Meeting made the education leaders realize the urgency to develop international politics and socio-economic sectors • In January 2002, Seoul ASEM Institute for International Relations was established by fellow scholars educated in Europe • ASEM has approximately 300 members, and it holds monthly workshops, and sponsors International Symposia 10F, Press Center, 124, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, 100-101, Korea Tel: + (82-2) 730-2740 Fax: + (82-2) 730-2742 leech771@seoulasem.com

3. Regional Bloc Formation in North-East Asia and Intellectual Solidarity among Universities ChangHoon Lee, Ph.D. President Seoul ASEM Institute for International Relations Former President Halla University

4. Asia Paradox • China, Japan and Korea have historically formed a natural community sharing common destiny • China, Japan and Korea accounted for about 20% of the world economy in 2013 • The three countries’ global political and economic influence is bound to increase in the 21st century • However, at the same time there exist conflicts between the three powers in the following areas: • Security • Territorial disputes: Dok-Do islands, Diaoyou islands • North Korean nuclear weapons • Historical legacy, e.g. comfort women

5. Negative Attitudes towards Regional Cooperation • Sino-U.S. rivalry in North-East Asia • Different development stages of each trading region • Different extent of democratisation • Unresolved historical tensions • Dangerous tendency towards ultra-nationalism

6. Sino-American Bipolar System • 新型大国关系New pattern of relationship between the great powers • Completely different world view and value system in China and in the U.S. • U.S. sensitive about the FTA cooperation between China, Japan, and Korea China sensitive about cooperation on security cooperation between the U.S., Japan, and Korea

7. Attitude of Japan and Korea with Respect to the Sino-U.S. Rivalry • Security Dilemma : Intensification of Sino-U.S. rivalry results in: • Anti-American, anti-Chinese sentiment in Japan and Korea • Risk of engaging in emotionally charged diplomatic rows between Japan and Korea • Korea’s dilemma: • Strong trade and investment ties with China • Political alliance with the United States

8. 黃遵憲 (HuángZūnxiàn)朝鮮策略 • 親中國, 結日本, 聯美邦 Chinese friends, ties to Japan, and American allies • Contemporary international political environment in North-East Asia is very similar to that in the end of the 19th, beginning of the 20th century • 新 朝鮮策略 : establishing a multilateral cooperation system in North-East Asia • Korea cannot afford entering in conflict with either one of the four countries, i.e. China, the U.S., Japan, or Russia • On the other hand, Korea is unable to lean too much towards any one particular power • It is therefore utterly important for Korea to maintain multilateral cooperation with the four countries, possibly including North Korea as well

9. New Pattern of Relationship between China, Japan and Korea • 新型中日韓关系 • Intellectual solidarity through universities • In order to solve the problems posed by the 21st century in the North-East Asia, universities should playa leading role in: • diversifying the process of academic exchange and cooperation • Ensuring that historical issues do not get overly politicized • Active establishment of historical discussion forums • Summoning intellectuals to accomplish the above goals • Maintaining the university mission

10. Conclusion Is Asia just a geographical area? • Asia is at a less advanced stage in terms of regional bloc formation compared to Europe • Europe has better supranational institutions compared to Asia Anyone has the right to live in peace. Therefore, let the universities preclude fighting through intellectual solidarity.

11. Thank You