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Please note: this event has passed


The situation in the Korean Peninsula has evolved dramatically in recent years.

From the threat of war, to historic inter-Korean and US-North Korea summits, to the current stalemate, the prospects for reconciliation and peace have suffered multiple ups and downs.

However, at the initiative of Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in, Seoul is seeking to move towards trust building and negotiations between the South, the North and the United States.

Meanwhile, South Korea, the UK and other European countries are increasingly focusing their attention and efforts on the stability of security of the Indo-Pacific. Seoul and its European counterparts are seeking ways to navigate Sino-American competition, torn between their ideas and close links with the US on the one hand and their goal to prevent a new Cold War on the other.

Against this backdrop, the 2021 Korea Peace Forum will involve leading academics and practitioners discussing the political and security situation in the Korean Peninsula; their experiences in dealing with North Korea; and potential ways to find common ground in the Indo-Pacific region.

For all external attendees: If you are not a member of staff or student at King's College London, please ensure you have signed up for the forum *at least* 48 hours in advance. This is to ensure you can gain access to Bush House on the day.

THE EVENT

King’s College London will act as host for the 2021 forum, with support from SOAS, University of London and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (ROK).

The forum will feature two panel discussions, with experts and scholars discussing engagement with North Korea and lessons learnt in the push for peace in the first panel. Europe, the Korean Peninsula and the shift in global focus to the Indo-Pacific will be in focus for the second panel.

Reinhold Brender, Head of the Korea Division at the European External Action Service, Kim Saeme, a Visiting Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, and Avinash Paliwal, Senior Lecturer in International Relations at SOAS, will be joining the first panel.

John Everard, former UK Ambassador to the DPRK and co-ordinator of the UN Security Council’s Panel of Experts on sanctions on North Korea, Jim Hoare, former Charge d'affaires at the UK embassy in Pyongyang and also a regular visitor to North Korea, and Ms Hong Juhyoung, Korean Peninsula and Foreign Affairs Reporter, Segye Times, will feature in the second panel.

The forum is taking place from 14.30 (GMT) on 17 November in the Bush House auditorium at King’s College London. A live stream will also be available for those unable to attend in person, via YouTube here. A reception event for guests will be held from 17.30, also at King's.

Professor Funmi Olonisakin, King's Vice President (Global Engagement) will also address the forum along with Professor Adam Habib, SOAS Director.

Event details

Bush House auditorium
Bush House
Strand campus, 30 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4BG