Unification of Korea and the EU development constitute the focus of the 21 st 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

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, , Korea Tel: + (82-2) Fax: + (82-2)

ChangHoon Lee, Ph.D. President Seoul ASEM Institute for International Relations Former President Halla University

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

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

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

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

親中國, 結日本, 聯美邦 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 19 th, beginning of the 20 th 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

新型中日韓关系 Intellectual solidarity through universities In order to solve the problems posed by the 21 st century in the North-East Asia, universities should play a 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

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.

Thank You