On Saturday, February 9, the public symposium "Conceiving a New Order for North-east Asia" was held at the North Hall on Mita Campus to mark the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Keio Center for Contemporary Korean Studies.
Since the establishment of this center in 2009, it has continuously dedicated itself to rolling out research projects and symposiums which aim to foster knowledge communities for academic and research exchanges between Japan and Korea, creating a centralized hub for research relating to the Korean Peninsula in Japan.
Following an address by Junya Nishino, the Center Director, and congratulatory speeches by Keio President Akira Haseyama and Executive Vice-President Kang Young-pil of the Korea Foundation, the keynote address was delivered by Chung-in Moon, Special Advisor for Foreign Affairs and National Security to President Moon Jae-in of South Korea. This was followed by analysis and assessment of current circumstances on the Korean peninsula by Japanese and Korean authorities, which saw discussions heating up and the venue approaching fever pitch. In particular, the earnest discussions on North Korean denuclearization and the peace apparatus for the Korean Peninsula, as well as on newly consolidating Japan-Korea relations captivated all those in attendance at the event.
Braving the untimely snowfall, some 170 spectators thronged the venue, to ensure the symposium’s resounding success. Scenes from the symposium also made their appearance in various print and broadcast media.