J-Global forum to discuss Asia’s role

Social Affairs

Published: 05 Sep. 2010, 23:15

J-Global forum to discuss Asia’s role

Former Korean prime minister Lee Hong-koo, left, gives a speech at the 2010 J-Global Forum at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul, yesterday. Those seated at the head table from left: Mo Cheol-min, vice culture minister; Yoichi Funabashi, editor in chief of the Asahi Shimbun; Hong Seok-hyun, chairman and CEO of the JoongAng Ilbo; Jusuf Wanandi, Vice Chairman of the CSIS; Park Jie-won, Democratic Party floor leader; Chua Tai, Singaporean ambassador to Korea; Skand R. Tayal, Indian ambassador to Korea and Zhang Xinsen, Chinese ambassador to Korea. By Kang Jung-hyun

The 13th annual JoongAng Global Forum is being held today at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul. The forum, which invites distinguished guests from journalists to academic experts every year to discuss various global topics, will speak on this year’s theme: “New Dynamics in Asia: Will Asia Be the Center of the New Global Politics?”

Speakers include Yoishi Funabachi, editor-in-chief of Japan’s Asahi Shimbun; Josef Joffe, publisher-editor of the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit; Koichi Kato, a member of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party; Yan Xuetong, director of the Institute of International Studies at China’s Tsinghua University; and Sakong Il, chairman of the Presidential Committee for the G-20 Seoul Summit.

JoongAng Ilbo Chairman and CEO Hong Seok-hyun is scheduled to give the opening remarks today, during which he will outline options on the direction that Asia will take. Minister of Defense Kim Tae-young will also address the forum today.

Other speeches by the invited guests are expected to focus on national views on the rise of Asia, the diverse results of Asia’s global emergence, the diverse challenges and opportunities facing Asia, globalization and the G-20 Summit from the Asian perspective, which will be followed by discussions on the topics.

A welcoming ceremony for the forum was held at the hotel yesterday with former Korean Prime Minister Lee Hong-koo and Mo Chul-min, the newly named vice culture minister, giving speeches congratulating the event.

“The world is changing tremendously and I hope those changes begin with this forum,” said Lee.

The event is hosted by the JoongAng Ilbo, the Korean Culture and Information Service and the Yumin Culture Foundation.

By Christine Kim [christine.kim@joongang.co.kr]