Ninth Jeju Peace Forum to launch at month’s end

From left to right: Julia Gillard, Li Zhaoxing and Carly Fiorina

Korea’s symbolic island of world peace, Jeju Island, will play host to the ninth Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity starting May 28.

The forum, hosted by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, the JoongAng Ilbo, the International Peace Foundation and the East Asia Foundation, on the theme of “Designing a New Asia,” will be held at the Haevichi Hotel and Resort in Seogwipo, Jeju Island.

Asia has overcome numerous crises in the 21st century and is emerging as the center of global economy and diplomacy. Through rapid economic development, China, in particular, is becoming a hub of international economy and culture.

However, key Asian countries that should be working cooperatively stand at odds because of long-held territorial disputes and a conflicting understanding of history.

These factors contributed to the postponement of the annual trilateral summit among China, Japan and Korea for two consecutive years.

This year’s Jeju forum will include 64 sessions covering a range of issues, such as international cooperation and security, business and the economy, the environment and sustainability, gender issues and community development. International political leaders, experts and scholars at the forum will seek to resolve these issues in Asia and realize joint prosperity.

The Jeju forum was launched in 2001 and was held every two years before it became an annual event starting in 2012 through the support of Jeju and the Korean government. Last year, more than 3,700 people from 49 countries attended.

Date: Wednesday, May 28, to Friday, May 30

Venue: Haevichi Hotel and Resort, in Seogwipo, Jeju Island

Participants: Julia Gillard, former Australian prime minister; Salam Fayyad, former Palestinian prime minister; Li Zhaoxing, former Chinese foreign minister; Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard; Freda Miriklis, president of BPW International; Princess Fay Jahan Ara of Iran; Han Seung-soo, former Korean prime minister; Yun Byung-se, minister of foreign affairs; and Kim Yong-hoon, the chairman of Daesung Group

Host: The JoongAng Ilbo; Jeju Special Self-Governing Province; the International Peace Foundation; and the East Asia Foundation

Organizer: Jeju Peace Institute