Asia Pacific—Session Two of the July 7-8 International Leadership Conference 2021 (ILC2021)— Asia Pacific program took place on July 7 at 10:30 a.m. Bangkok time, under the theme, “Prospects for Korean Peace and Security in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape." Four representatives from government, civil society and the media spoke about the importance of a united Asia Pacific for Korea reunification to be realized. A total of 1,206 people from 38 nations registered for the session and 275 watched it live on Zoom while thousands did so on YouTube and Facebook Live.
Mr. Thomas McDevitt, chairman of The Washington Times in the U.S., emphasized the mindset of thinking that the world is one family; therefore, nations must act in “symphony” with each other as interdependent human beings.
The next speaker, Dr. Hyung-suk Kim, vice minister of the Ministry of Unification of the Republic of Korea (2016-2017), shared a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between North and South Korea and said that if North Korea becomes open and cooperates, conflicts will disappear and reunification will be possible.
Dr. John Bellavance, founder of CyberValues.org, from Australia, discussed the challenges and solutions of mutual prosperity and proposed a model of prosperity that brings about interdependent security between two nations.
The fourth speaker, Dr. Louie Benedict R. Ignacio, president of the Philippine Sociological Society, suggested considering the external factors that might affect the reunification of North and South Korea and espoused a stronger Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The event concluded with a Q&A during which the participants and speakers delved into the importance of solidarity among nations to support the two Koreas to engage in dialogue on peace and reunification. Dr. Robert S. Kittel, director of education of UPF-Asia Pacific, served as the moderator.