1. The Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) will host the 2015 Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security (IFANS) Conference on Global Affairs under the theme of “Opening the Next Chapter: Where Korean Diplomacy Stands on the 70th Anniversary of Liberation” at the KNDA on October 23.

2. The upcoming Conference will feature a congratulatory speech by Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se at the opening ceremony; lectures by Professor John Mearsheimer from the University of Chicago, President of the Institute of International and Strategic Studies at Peking University Wang Jisi, and Professor Tanaka Akihiko from Tokyo University; a special lecture by former Foreign Minister Han Sung-joo; and an expert roundtable.

- In addition, KNDA Chancellor Yun Duk-min will deliver opening remarks, and Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Hwang Joon-kook will give a luncheon speech.

- The expert roundtable will be attended by Professor Chun Chae-sung from the Department of International Relations at Seoul National University, Professor Lee Geun from the Graduate School of International Studies at Seoul National University, SK-Korea Foundation Chair in Korea Studies Katharine Moon at the Brookings Institution, Senior Fellow for Korea Studies Scott Snyder at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), and Professor Kim Tae-hwan from the KNDA.

3. The 2015 IFANS Conference on Global Affairs is an annual forum hosted by the KNDA’s IFANS. With this year marking the 70th anniversary of liberation, the Conference will be an opportunity to listen to valuable opinions of internationally-recognized experts from the ROK, the US, Japan and China regarding the situation in Northeast Asia and the way forward for Korean diplomacy. Those opinions are expected to be used as reference materials in making future policies.


*unofficial translation