12th Washington North Korea Forum on 'Roadmap to American Re-Engagement with North Korea' to be Held Feb. 12

2/11/2002

News Advisory:

What: The 12th Washington North Korea Forum on "Roadmap to American Re-engagement with North Korea" with Professor Hazel Smith, Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow of U.S. Institute of Peace & Dr. Syngman Rhee, Former President of the National Council of Churches of Christ

When: Tuesday, February 12 at 12 noon The National Press Club, Lisagor Room 529 14th St., NW Washington, D.C.

(RSVP requested by Monday, Feb 11)

President Bush's visit to South Korea scheduled for February 19 will be a major turning point in the future of the two Koreas. Bush administration's policy towards North Korea in context of "axis of evil" remarks is having major impacts on the issues shaping the reconciliation between North and South Korea, President Kim Dae-jung's Sunshine Policy, and economic or military engagement between the United States and North Korea.

The 12th Washington North Korea Forum will provide a unique, timely opportunity to gain an informed perspective on policy options of North and South Korea and of the United States from prominent scholars of the two Koreas who have the first-hand experience in North Korea: Professor Hazel Smith, Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow of the U.S. Institute of Peace; and Dr. Syngman Rhee, the former President of National Council of Churches of Christ and the former Moderator of the Presbyterian Churches of USA.

Dr. Smith, discusses "Marketisation without liberalization: the contradictory contribution of foreign trade, aid and diplomacy to social change in the DPRK in the 2000s." She has worked in North Korea over 12 years with various positions with UNICEF, WFP, UNDP and NGOs, and just came back from a visit to North Korea in January.

Dr. Rhee discusses "Benefits and cost of American re-engagement policies with North Korea." He has made numerous visits to North Korea since 1978 including meetings with the late Kim Il Sung and senior policy makers of North Korea.

In his role as moderator, President Young Chun of Institute for Strategic Reconciliation (ISR), who has made several visits to North Korea for humanitarian missions, will bring additional expertise to a timely discussion of policy developments that are vital to the future of the two Koreas.

Speakers in the past Washington North Korea Forums have been senior representatives of governmental and nongovernmental organizations including: Honorable Robert Gallucci ("Architect of the Agreed Framework"), Senior Advisor Philip Yun to Dr. William Perry of State Department, Honorable Mark Kirk of US House of Representatives, Senior associate Kathleen Newland of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, USAID administrator Andrew Natsios, Professor Bruce Cummings of Chicago University, and former Director Patrick Cronin of Research and Studies of the US Institute of Peace. The early North Korea forums were held at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Brookings Institution, and the Capitol Hill among others.

The Institute for Strategic Reconciliation (ISR), a 501(c)(3) organization, is an independent, non-partisan think tank seeking to restore reconciliation where conflict exists by engaging in scientific, cultural, educational, humanitarian, and religious research and studies. The ISR addresses policy challenges promoting international and national reconciliation, and facilitates conflict resolution policy developments. The ISR is a founding member of the InterAction North Korea Working Group, a consortium of over 30 international NGOs working in North Korea.

------ REGISTRATION (RSVP is required)

The Washington North Korea Forum XII "Roadmap to American Re-engagement with North Korea" Hosted by The Institute for Strategic Reconciliation Inc. (ISR)

Please the following information no later than Monday, February 11:

To: The Institute for Strategic Reconciliation, Inc. (ISR) by fax at 301-570-0911, or E-mail at ISR@Ureach.com

o Yes, I will attend the Feb. 12th, 2002 meeting of the ISR. The registration fee is $5 payable at the door.

o No, I am unable to attend but like to learn about future meetings of the ISR

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