Session V

The United Nations and the Korean Peninsula

Panelists - Session V

Amb. Dr. Jesus Domingo

Ambassador of the Philippines to New Zealand; Former Assistant Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines.

Dr. Tariq Rauf

Former Head of Verification and Security Policy, International Atomic Energy Agency

Dr. Angela Mickley

Professor for Peace Education, Conflict Resolution and Ecology, Potsdam University of Applied Sciences, Potsdam, Germany

Mr. Heiner W. Handschin

Director, UPF Office for UN Relations at UNOG, Geneva

Ms. Srruthi Lekha

UN Representative for Peacebuilding and Youth Leadership, WFWPI

BACKGROUNDER

Representing the family of nations, the United Nations has the mandate to assist in developing, “friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples“ (UN Charter, Ch. 1 A1.2).

 

Korea has been divided since the 2nd World War, and remains without a formal peace agreement. Families have been separated for over 70 years, left not knowing the condition of loved ones. This unsolved tragedy, while very much an internal affair of the Koreas, needs the attention of the international community. 

The session aims to provide resources and good practices for de-escalation of tensions through disarmament and trust building strategies. Speakers will look at the destabilizing effect of the nuclear issue and provide alternative tools for mediation and reconciliation. Finally, a proposal for a UN sponsored peace / development project at the DMZ border will provide a vision for stability on the Peninsula and the whole region.