April 19th Webinar (Whole Programme Video)
MC: Humphrey Hawksley
Author, Commentator and former BBC Correspondent
Opening Remarks: (Speech Videos By Title Links)
Dr Chang Shik Yang, Chairman of Universal Peace Federation International
Dr Katsumi Otsuka: Co-Chairman of Universal Peace Federation Europe and the Middle East
Panel:
Professor Kevin Gray
Head of International Relations, School of Global Studies, Sussex University
Dr. Moon, Byeong Cheol
Senior Research Fellow, UPF Korea
Dr. Niklas Swanström
Director, Institute for Security & Development Policy, Sweden
Questions and Answers:
Closing Remarks:
Jacques Marion
Co-Chairman UPF Europe and Middle East
Dr. Charles Yang emphasized the importance of addressing peace on the Korean peninsula. He outlined the historical context of Korea's division after World War II and the subsequent Korean War, highlighting the global involvement and casualties. Drawing on philosophical roots, he framed the Korean conflict as emblematic of broader ideological confrontations seen throughout history, linking it to contemporary global conflicts like the one between Russia and Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict. He called for a search for permanent peace, suggesting that resolving the Korean conflict could serve as a model for global harmony. Furthermore, he underscored South Korea's achievements in global competitiveness and military power, juxtaposing them with North Korea's impoverished situation. He emphasized the potential for learning from successful reunification models like Germany's, positioning the unification of the Korean Peninsula as crucial not only for the region but as a global issue symbolizing the convergence of democratic and communist worlds and the pathway to lasting peace.
Dr. Katsumi Otsuka Undoubtedly, future historians and experts on the Korean Peninsula will record 2023 and 2024 as a historic turning point of the Korean Peninsula issue because the North Korea supreme leader made it clear at the end of the year 2023 that South Korea was a hostile state and he abolished his pursuit of peaceful unification. Even in South Korea, the enthusiasm for the reunification is sharply weakened. It felt as if the division of the Korean Peninsula was becoming increasingly solidified. In this context, it was very meaningful for us to discuss the European role for peace and the reunification of the Korean Peninsula.
Professor Kevin Gray discussed Europe's potential role in addressing the Korean conflict and the North Korean nuclear issue. While acknowledging the challenges and uncertainties, he suggested that Europe could contribute to behind-the-scenes negotiations and humanitarian aid efforts. Gray noted the unprecedented tensions between North and South Korea, as well as between North Korea and the United States, against the backdrop of the "New Cold War" and renewed DPRK-Russia relations. Gray criticized the EU's historical approach of "critical engagement" toward North Korea, highlighting its alignment with the US and reliance on sanctions, which had limited success. He drew parallels with the JCPOA with Iran but underscored the complexities of negotiating with a DPRK possessing nuclear warheads. Gray emphasized the necessity of lifting sanctions as part of any potential deal, noting the EU's comparatively lesser sanctions and the need for US involvement in crafting agreements. Furthermore, Gray underscored Europe's potential role in humanitarian assistance, particularly considering the presence of European NGOs on the ground in North Korea. He anticipated challenges in reestablishing humanitarian operations, including negotiations with the DPRK and competition for donor attention amidst crises in other regions like Gaza and Ukraine. Despite recognizing Europe's experience and potential contributions, Gray emphasized the significant challenges ahead.
Dr. Moon Byeong Cheol addressed three key questions concerning the Korean peninsula. Firstly, he discussed North Korea's recent policy shift from a "one Korea" to a "two states" narrative, indicating a departure from its previous stance on unification. This shift raised concerns among South Koreans who aspired for reunification and prompted reflections on US administration policies and North Korea's motivations, including its growing relationship with Russia. Despite the challenges posed by the current situation, the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) remained committed to peacebuilding and eventual reunification, urging both North and South Korea to reconsider their rigid positions and advocating for diplomatic engagement. Regarding the prospect of a peace treaty, Dr. Moon highlighted the cultural and nuclear obstacles hindering its realization. He emphasized South Korea's direct involvement in negotiations, alongside the United States, and the importance of European nations' diplomatic support. Drawing parallels with European involvement in nuclear negotiations with Iran, Dr. Moon suggested that European nations could serve as honest brokers in facilitating dialogue between North and South Korea. He stressed the need for increased official development assistance to address humanitarian concerns in North Korea, alongside diplomatic efforts, underscoring the importance of European nations' active engagement in promoting peace and denuclearization on the Korean peninsula.
Dr. Niklas Swanstrom discussed Europe's potential role in engaging with North Korea amidst shifting geopolitical dynamics. He noted North Korea's outreach to Europe despite its reliance on Russia and China, indicating a recognition of the limitations of its current alliances. However, Swanstrom questioned Europe's capacity to play a significant role, especially in light of its focus on other global priorities such as the conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as resource constraints, particularly in countries like Sweden. While acknowledging North Korea's reluctance to engage in immediate denuclearization talks, Swanstrom suggested avenues for constructive engagement, such as academic exchanges and 1.5 track diplomacy. He cautioned against expecting quick solutions and emphasized the need for a nuanced understanding of North Korea's perspectives and interests, proposing a Helsinki-like process tailored to address regional complexities and tangible issues like humanitarian assistance and environmental concerns. Swanstrom also reflected on North Korea's characterization of South Korea as a hostile state, attributing it to North Korea's recognition of South Korea's growing strength and the challenges of potential unification. Despite skepticism regarding immediate unification prospects, he saw a potential role for Europe in bridging divides between North and South Korea, particularly in addressing practical challenges related to the differences between the two states.
In response to questions from Humphrey Hawksley, Dr. Niklas Swanstrom discussed the importance of consistent engagement with North Korea, emphasizing the need for both short-term and long-term strategies involving various stakeholders, including the younger generation and current decision-makers. Swanstrom highlighted divisions within North Korea's leadership and the opportunity for engagement despite differing priorities among DPRK government departments. They stressed the necessity for sustained commitment from institutions and governments in Europe to foster constructive dialogue with North Korea, acknowledging the challenges posed by political cycles and the need for long-term consistency in engagement efforts. Regarding the potential impact of President Trump's re-election, Swanstrom suggested that while it may change dynamics, there were uncertainties about whether it would lead to positive or negative outcomes given past experiences and high expectations from North Korea.
Questions and Answers:
Humphrey Hawksley and the panel explored various facets of the Korean issue, from the impact of past administrations like Obama's or Trump's engagement with North Korea to the potential role of European countries in addressing the conflict. They discussed the complexities of negotiating with North Korea and the challenges posed by unrealistic expectations and geopolitical dynamics involving Russia, China, and the US. Despite limited European attention to the Korean Peninsula, the panel suggested avenues for engagement, such as track 1.5 diplomacy and sustained dialogue, emphasizing the need for consistent efforts to understand North Korea's perspectives and interests. Regarding the possibility of Japan or South Korea going nuclear, the panel acknowledged the potential for increased crisis but questioned whether it would be enough to spur significant European involvement in the issue. Ultimately, they highlighted the importance of addressing underlying geopolitical tensions and fostering meaningful dialogue to advance peace and stability in the region.
Closing Remarks by Jacques Marion:
Jacques Marion, representing the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), reflected on Europe's potential role in fostering peace on the Korean peninsula amidst heightened tensions. He highlighted Europe's historical focus on cooperation in Northeast Asia, contrasting it with the competitive dynamics between the US, Japan, South Korea, China, Russia, and North Korea. Marion posed the question of whether Europe could act as a mediator in the conflict, particularly in light of its direct confrontation with Russia over the war in Ukraine. He drew attention to the importance of trust-building with North Korea, citing the example of British scholar Glyn Ford, who built relationships with North Korean leaders and initiated humanitarian aid efforts. Marion suggested that engagement with North Korea, despite its repressive regime, could offer avenues for dialogue and cooperation, resonating with UPF's mission of promoting peace initiatives like the "Two states towards one nation" resolution.
Marion acknowledged the radical shift in North Korea's policy under Kim Jong Un, which challenged traditional notions of peace on the Korean peninsula. Despite this, he proposed that Europe, with its resources and potential for engagement, could offer alternatives to ease tensions and gain North Korea's trust, particularly in areas like agriculture and health. He emphasized UPF's commitment to peace in Northeast Asia, exemplified by projects such as tunnel connections between Japan and Korea, and meetings aimed at supporting peace initiatives. Marion concluded by affirming the importance of pursuing peace efforts despite current tensions, believing it to be a cause worth championing.
Biographies:
Mr. Humphrey Hawksley, Author, Commentator; Former BBC Foreign Correspondent, UK
Humphrey is an award-winning author and foreign correspondent whose assignments with the BBC have taken him to crises all over the world. His fiction books, the Rake Ozenna series, originated when reporting from the US-Russian border during heightened tension. He has been a guest lecturer at universities and think tanks such as the RAND Corporation, The Center for Strategic and International Studies and MENSA Cambridge. He moderates the monthly Democracy Forum debates on international issues and is a host on the weekly Goldster Book Club where he discusses books and talks to authors. He has presented numerous BBC documentaries and his latest non-fiction work is Asian Waters: The Struggle Over the Indo-Pacific and the Challenge to American Power. (Website: https://www.humphreyhawksley.com)
Dr. Charles S. Yang, Chairman, UPF International; Chairman UPF Korea
Charles S. Yang is the Chairman of UPF International, and concurrently chairman of UPF Korea. Previously, he served as the Regional Chairman of UPF-Central America and the Caribbean. Dr. Yang has held many important positions and responsibilities as a trusted and life-long adherent to UPF’s founders, including as President of FFWPU Korea, Chairman of the American Clergy Leadership Conference, which partnered with UPF in developing the Middle East Peace Initiative (MEPI), which brought more than 40,000 peace advocates to the Holy Land. He also served as the Regional President of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) for North America. Dr. Yang has a Doctor of Ministry from the New York Theological Seminary. (Website: https://www.upf.org)
Dr. Katsumi Otsuka, Chair, UPF Europe & Middle East
A citizen of Japan, Dr. Otsuka graduated from Kanazawa University and from the Unification Theological Seminary in the United States. As president of the student movement World-CARP Japan, he organized world conventions and initiated solidarity meetings among students and youth from Japan, Korea, Russia, and China in the 1980s and 1990s. He served as president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification in Japan, as president of the Corporation for Building the Japan-Korea Tunnel, and as the leader of numerous organizations, focusing on the reunification of the Korean Peninsula. He is currently the Chair of the Universal Peace Federation in Europe and the Middle East. (Website: https://eume.upf.org)
Professor Kevin Gray, Professor of International Relations, School of Global Studies, Sussex University, UK
Professor Kevin Gray is Professor of International Relations at the School of Global Studies, Sussex University, United Kingdom. His research interests relate to the political economy of development, with a regional focus on East Asia. He has researched and published widely on the region and, in particular, on the political economy of both North and South Korea. Most recently, he is co-author (with Jong-Woon Lee) of “North Korea and the Geopolitics of Development” (2021). His research has been published in the Review of International Political Economy, Journal of Contemporary Asia, Pacific Review, North Korean Review, Globalizations, New Political Economy, Third World Quarterly and New Left Review.
Dr. Byeong-Cheol Moon, Senior Research Fellow, UPF Korea
Dr. Byeong-Cheol Moon is a senior research fellow of Universal Peace Federation Korea. Dr. Moon is an expert in the field of security studies of Northeast Asia, especially with the North Korean nuclear issue. He has an M.A. in Politics from the University of Sheffield and Ph.D. in Politics from the University of Newcastle, United Kingdom. Prior to joining UPF Korea, he worked as a senior research fellow at the Future Consensus Institute and as a part-time lecturer at Seoul National University. (Website: https://www.upf.org)
Dr. Niklas Swanström, Executive Director, Institute for Security & Development Policy, Sweden
Niklas Swanström is the Director of the Institute for Security and Development Policy, ISDP, in Stockholm, and he is one of its co-founders. His main areas of expertise are conflict prevention, conflict management and regional cooperation; Chinese foreign policy and security in Northeast Asia; the Korean Peninsula, the Belt and Road Initiative, traditional and non-traditional security threats and its effect on regional and national security as well as negotiations. He is a frequent traveler to the Korean Peninsula as a part of ISDPs collaboration with both Koreas since 2004. (Website: https://www.isdp.eu)
Mr. Jacques Marion, Co-chair, UPF Europe & Middle East, France
Mr. Marion has worked with Unification Movement programs in Africa. He then served in China as a vice president of the International Educational Foundation, based in Beijing. From 2006 to 2013, he served as Secretary General of UPF Eurasia, based in Moscow. He is currently the co-chair of UPF Europe and the Middle East and president of UPF France. (Website: https://eume.upf.org)
