The Universal Peace Federation organizes and contributes to forums on prospects for a peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula and promotes grass-roots initiatives to foster understanding and reconciliation among the Korean people.
Speakers on Northeast Asia security issues at UPF conferences in Seoul, Korea
Dr. Aslambek Akhmedovich Askakhanov, Vice President, Council of the Federation on International Affairs, Russia
Amb. Tetsuya Endo, former ambassador in charge of Japan-North Korea Normalization Talks
Hon. Dennis Hastert, former speaker, US House of Representatives
Amb. Christopher R. Hill, former head of the US delegation to the Six-Party Talks, USA
Dr. Hyunik Hong, senior research fellow, Security Strategy Studies Department at the Sejong Institute, Korea
Dr. Soo Min Kim, Professor of International Relations, Sun Moon University, Republic of Korea
Dr. Alexandre Mansourov, U.S.-Korea Institute, Johns Hopkins University, USA
Prof. Toshio Miyatsuka, Professor of Asian Studies, Yamanashi Gakuin University, Japan
Dr. Charles S. Yang, chair, UPF International, and The Washington Times Foundation, USA
Dr. Alexander Zhebin, director, Center for Korean Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Far Eastern Studies, Russia
UPF Peace and Security Forums in Washington DC, USA
Russia as a US Partner for Peace and Stability in the World, May 28, 2014
Creating Peace Zones as Avenues for Stability through Development, October 15, 2013
Will North Korea Focus on Economic Revival in the New Year? January 1, 2013
Russia's Role in Stability in Eurasia and the Far East, June 28, 2012
North Korea in Its Third Generation of Leadership, May 23, 2012
Regional Perspectives of the Korean Peninsula, December 14, 2011
Programs in Russia with participation by UPF representatives
"From Conflict to Dialogue on the Korean Peninsula," by UPF and the Institute of History, Archeology and Ethnography of Peoples in the Far East, Far Eastern branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, May 30, 2014
"Peace Prospects on the Korean Peninsula" on the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice Agreement, organized by Bomminryon, July 20, 2013
"Korean War - Results, Lessons, Further Steps Towards Peace on the Korean Peninsula," Oriental Studies Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Mosow, June 5, 2013
"The United Korea as a Dream of the Korean Nation," organized by Bomminryon, Moscow, October 3, 2012
"One Korea" meeting with Korean War veterans, Anti-aircraft Defense Troops Museum, Balashika, June 23, 2012
"Korean War: Lessons of History," Oriental Studies Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, February 15, 2011
Backgrounder
The Northeast Asia Peace Initiative (NEAPI) was initiated by the Universal Peace Federation to promote peace and sustainable development through dialogue, trust, and cooperation among the nations and peoples of Northeast Asia. A particular focus of NEAPI is the Korean peninsula and the various challenges associated with relations between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a conflict that remains unresolved since the time of the Korean War more than 60 years ago. At the same time, NEAPI understands these issues in a wider context involving the nations involved in the “Six Party Talks”, China, Japan, Russia, the USA and both North and South Korea.
The Korean peninsula, however, is not the only point of focus for NEAPI, for there are a wide variety of challenges and opportunities in the region, related to China, Japan, Russia and the USA. As such, NEAPI programs involve a variety of stakeholders from the relevant nations and address a wide diversity of topics such as economic development, peace and security, education, social development, youth and culture. In keeping with this broad approach, NEAPI participants come from a wide range of fields, including government, diplomacy, academia, civil society and the private sector.
NEAPI programs are guided by the following principles:
- Dialogue is an instrument of peace and development, providing a foundation for building mutual respect, trust and cooperation.
- While recognizing points of difference or disagreement between the peoples and governments of the region, there are at the same time many shared values, shared interests and shared aspirations that should be explored and encouraged.
- The role of civil society organizations, or NGOs, can serve a needed and valuable service, one that complements the work of governments through official diplomatic channels.
- Trade and economic cooperation are important components of a comprehensive peace agenda.
- People-to-people diplomacy, among ordinary citizens, youth, women leaders, etc., contributes to mutual understanding, appreciation and cooperation.
NEAPI programs have been convened consistently throughout the ten-year history of UPF, and particularly in the context of UPF’s series of bi-annual International Leadership Conferences and its annual World Summit. In recent years, programs have been convened in Korea, Japan, the USA and Russia. Academic experts, as well as experienced diplomats, bring diverse perspectives that are grounded in sound research and decades of experience.
UPF programs do not advocate for specific outcomes but rather seek to provide a platform for dialogue that facilitates openness and constructive interaction.
The Universal Peace Federation is an NGO in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and has a diverse portfolio of programs carried out by national chapters throughout the world. Other UPF peace initiatives include the Middle East Peace Initiative, with special focus on Israel and Palestine; the South Asia Peace Initiative, with special focus on Nepal; the South Caucasus Peace Initiative; the Mindanao Peace Initiative; and the Balkans Peace Initiative. In each of these contexts, the principles of dialogue, mutual respect and shared values are underscored and upheld.
For further details about the Northeast Asia Peace Initiative, click here.