On Tuesday April 30, 2013, invited by the Higher Institute of Political and Administrative Sciences of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), the South Korean Ambassador to Lebanon His Excellency Mr. Byoung-Gi Kim gave a lecture entitled “Korean Crisis and its Impact on the Asian Continent”. The lecture is part of a series of conferences organized by the Institute to shed light on the 21st century foreign policies of Asian countries. The Director of the Higher Institute of Political and Administrative Sciences, Dr. George Yahchouchi, faculty members and students attended the lecture and, at the end, they engaged in a discussion on the relationship between Korea and neighboring countries of Northeast Asia.

Ambassador Kim presented an overview of the strategic location of North and South Korea, and a historical review of the relationships between countries of Northeast Asia, including China, Japan, Russia, and North Korea. He explained Korea’s old and modern history, talked about the division of Korea, the Korean War, and the recent developments in North Korea’s foreign policies, emphasizing the security aspects of the situation on the Korean peninsula.

On the subject of North Korea, Kim indicated that every person who has visited the country noticed that it is a place unlike any other, attributed to the fact its people never knew democracy, human rights and freedom.

Kim also presented an overview on the North Korean nuclear program and the international sanctions imposed on the country. About the leadership of President Park Geun-Hye, Ambassador Kim revealed that the strong leadership of the new President is guided by principles of promoting realistic approaches to problem solving, forging new objectives and implementing them, ensuring a more systematic awareness of the crises and seeking the right solutions.

As a sign of appreciation, Dr. Yahchouchi presented a photograph of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik to the Ambassador Kim.