Presidents of Yonsei, Korea, Keio, and Waseda Universities Gather at Korea University for 12th Korea-Japan Millennium Forum

On November 13, the presidents of Yonsei, Korea, Keio, and Waseda universities met at Korea University for the 12th Korea-Japan Millennium Forum.  The theme of this year’s forum was “Collaboration for 2025,” and the four presidents discussed increasing collaboration and trust between Korea and Japan, while considering the role that their respective universities might play in facilitating closer relations among the nations.  They also addressed issues related to North Korea and security in East Asia, as well as Korea’s “Creative Economy” and Japan’s “Abenomics.”     At the forum, Yonsei President Jeong Kap-young lamented: “Korean and Japanese relations are at their worst state since 1965.  Instead of monologues, there should be dialogue and collaboration.”  While stressing the need for mutual respect and increased cooperation, President Jeong also suggested that friendly competition between the two nations will be beneficial for both.

- President Jeong: “Students from our two nation should gather at the Yonsei International Campus to learn the invaluable skills of conversation and collaboration.”  

President Jeong provided three proposals for enhancing relations between Korea and Japan:  first, by creating opportunities for undergraduates from both countries to live together and collaborate at the Residential College (RC) on the Yonsei International Campus (YIC).  Second, he suggested the formation of a combined research network, potentially called “KeKoWaYo” (representing the first two letters of each school), so that the universities will be better able to share their knowledge and conduct joint-research together.  Finally, President Jeong proposed establishing ways for the students from the four universities to learn from each other’s experiences on the job market, while improving lines of communication between the universities, society, and corporations. The Korea-Japan Millennium Forum was founded as a venue for the presidents of the four universities to discuss issues related to academics and research and to enhance collaboration between the institutions.  The inaugural forum was held at Waseda University in 2002, and since then, the host institution has rotated each year. At this year’s forum, Yonsei Professors Lee Yeon-ho, Bae Jong-yoon, and Lee Doo-won gave presentations on the forum’s past twelve years, North Korea and East Asian security issues, and the “Creative Economy” and “Abenomics.”  At the student session, Ms. Lee Sang-ji of Underwood International College (UIC) proposed addressing the two country’s political conflicts through cultural diplomacy.