Chosun University Northeast Asia Research Institute Successfully Concludes Korea-Russia International Academic Conference

The Northeast Asia Research Institute of the Social Science Research Institute at Chosun University recently held a Korea-Russia International Academic Conference in collaboration with the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, Russia, and the Convergence Education and Research Center at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), successfully concluding the event.

This academic conference was organized following the academic cooperation MOU signed in February last year between the Northeast Asia Research Institute at Chosun University and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Seven researchers from each country presented and discussed their work.

At the conference, Professor Kim Dong-hyuk of GIST's Convergence Education and Research Center presented on the topic "A Historical Evaluation of the Process of Establishing Economic Cooperation between Russia and Korea since the Soviet Reform and Opening Period." Professor Kim argued that although the formation of economic cooperation between Korea and the Soviet Union in the late 1980s was strongly influenced by other political and diplomatic relations, conversely, the economic exchanges at both government and private levels significantly contributed to the development of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Professor Aleksandr Voronchov of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences diagnosed in his presentation "The Reality and Challenges of Korea-Russia Relations" that Korea faces difficulties in choosing between its alliance discipline with the United States and its national interests in cooperation with Russia in solidarity, economic, and security fields. However, he explained that there is no Russophobia in Korea comparable to that in Western countries such as the United States. Furthermore, Russia does not recognize Korea as a 'non-friendly state' equal to the West as long as Korea does not supply lethal weapons to Ukraine, and continues its own efforts to prevent severing relations with Korea. He also noted that Russia's fundamental interests are the preservation of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, which is essential for security in the Far East, as well as Russia's own security guarantees, emphasizing that the bilateral relationship is currently at a borderline.

Other presentations included "Research on Korea-Russia Relations and Implications for Korea-Russia Relations: From the Late 19th Century to 1945" (Kwon Kyung-taek / GIST Convergence Education and Research Center), "Korea-Russia Relations: Past Cooperation and Prospects" (Natalia Kim / Moscow State University, Institute of Asian and African Studies), "On the Role of Multilateral Political and Diplomatic Interactions in the Korean Peninsula Conflict Situation: The Experience of the Soviet Union and Russia" (Ruben Kazaryan / Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences), "The History and Contemporary Implications of North Korea-Soviet Relations during the Cold War" (Jo Su-ryong / Northeast Asia Research Institute, Chosun University), and "Humanitarian Cooperation between Russia and the Republic of Korea: Current Status and Prospects" (Alina Sharapetdinova / Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences), followed by a lively discussion.

Ki Gwang-seo, Director of the Northeast Asia Research Institute at the Social Science Research Institute of Chosun University, stated, "This academic conference became an occasion where scholars from both countries agreed on the will to continue exchanges at the civilian academic level and expand mutual understanding during a time when Korea-Russia relations are facing difficulties due to the Ukraine war." He added, "In particular, it was confirmed that exchanges with Russian Koreanists who influence Russian government policies are important."

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