Pukyong National University Hosts the 14th Pan-Pacific International Conference

Dongwon Jangbogo Hall to Host on 20-21; Over 90 Researchers from 15 Countries to Attend

Theme: Reconstructing Multiscale Connectivity in the Pan-Pacific Region

The Global Area Studies Institute of Pukyong National University (Director Park Sanghyun) held the 14th Pan-Pacific International Academic Conference at the Dongwon Jangbogo Hall over two days on the 20th and 21st.

2024 Pan-Pacific International Academic Conference.

This academic conference is an annual event held to promote the continuous growth and public understanding of global area studies, and to establish a foundation for educational and research networks as well as research hubs in Pan-Pacific maritime cities.

This year’s conference, under the theme “Reconstructing Multi-Scale Connectivity in the Pan-Pacific Region,” brought together more than 90 researchers from 15 countries, including Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, China, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, and Mexico, to present and discuss their research.

The conference featured keynote lectures by Professor Kim Jihye of the University of Central Lancashire in the UK, Professor Yang Long of Nankai University in China, and Professor Jim Glassman of the University of British Columbia in Canada. Across 13 sessions, topics included the Asian automobile industry and value chains, connectivity between Europe and Korea, cities and publicness, urban transitions in Asia, conflicts and challenges in the Middle East, regional integration, global diaspora and ethnic markets, and the geography, politics, and economics of ASEAN.

Professor Kim Jihye, in her lecture on the Korean Wave and Korean immigration in the Pan-Pacific region, highlighted the role of Korean immigrants in spreading the Korean Wave and pointed out that the expansion of the Korean food industry is bringing significant changes to overseas Korean communities. Professor Yang Long, in his lecture on China’s growth and governance, emphasized that China’s unique governance practices, carried out at various types, scales, and levels, contribute to the country’s sustainable economic growth.

Professor Jim Glassman, in his lecture on the characteristics of the Pacific ruling class formed during the Cold War and current changes, explained how new ruling forces in the United States, Korea, Japan, China, and Thailand are forming connections, the ways in which they exhibit authoritarian characteristics, and how social movements are developing in response.

Jung Haejo, chair of the Pan-Pacific International Academic Conference Organizing Committee, expressed his gratitude to the participants and stated, “Through this event, we will continue not only to share academic achievements for the sustainable growth of global area studies, but also to strive for the formation of a better Pan-Pacific community.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.