Session VI

Europe and the Korean Peninsula & Think Tank 2022 Recommendations

Panelists - Session VI

Mr. Alyn Ware

Director, Peace and Disarmament Program, World Future Council

Dr. Walter Feichtinger

President, Center for Strategic Analysis (CSA) in Vienna

Dr. Beatrice Bischof

Foreign Affairs Association, Munich, Germany

Peter Haider

President, UPF Austria

Dr. Dieter Schmidt

Medical doctor, Chairman of UPF Central Europe

Panelists - Closing

Dr. Katsumi Otsuka

Chairman, UPF Europe & Middle East

Dr. Afsar Rathor

President of LIOS, Austria

Dr. Michael Balcomb

President, FFWPU Europe & Middle East

Mr. Jacques Marion

Co-chairman, UPF Europe & Middle East

BACKGROUNDER

The Korean War – the first major conflict of the Cold War – broke out in 1950.  Several European countries sent troops in support of the United Nations Command. Until then a relatively unknown country in the West, Korea was put on the map. The armistice signed in July 1953 brought an end to the armed conflict on the peninsula, which remained divided between North and South. However, no peace treaty was signed. Whether there will ever be lasting peace depends in great part on the major powers in the region.

Europe’s role has evolved from military intervention to a soft power approach, economic cooperation with South Korea, humanitarian aid for and diplomacy with North Korea. Drawing on their experience in conflict management, the panelists will address the question of Europe’s contribution to the easing of tensions on the Korean peninsula.

In the latter part of the webinar, the Closing Session will feature a summary of recommendations expressed in this ILC 2021 webinar series.