Jeju Forum 2017 Forum to help mend Korea-China ties

By Yi Whan-woo

Organizing Committee Chairman and Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong

The 12th Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity can provide a breakthrough in Korea-China relations following Beijing’s economic retaliation against Seoul over deployment of a U.S. missile shield, according to Organizing Committee Chairman Won Hee-ryong.

Won also says his special dialogue session with France’s former Minister of State for State Reform and Simplification Jean-Vincent Place, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on June 2, can provide momentum for Korea to capitalize on the Fourth Industrial Revolution to bolster democracy.

“I believe we, through this forum, can find a breakthrough on Seoul-Beijing ties frayed by the installation of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in Korea,” he said during a recent interview.

Beijing views THAAD as U.S. deterrence against a rising China, not against Pyongyang’s ballistic missile threats, as Washington has assured.

Won, who also is governor of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, said he finds it “regretful” that the number of Chinese tourists visiting the resort island sharply dropped after China’s travel ban in retaliation to the deployment.

But he hopes Chinese scholars on security and diplomacy joining the forum may provide solutions to the diplomatic row. Several, including Assistant President of China Foreign Affairs University Wang Fan, Pangoal Institution President Yi Peng and Charhar Institute Chairman Han Fangming, are set to attend.

“The time appears to be appropriate for the two countries to reconcile, considering Korea has a new government and that this year marks the 25th anniversary of their diplomatic treaty,” Won said. “And I expect the prominent Chinese experts will suggest strategies for the two governments.”

He said that along with the Jeju Forum, the second annual meeting of the Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) can contribute to a possible Korea-China reconciliation. The AIIB meeting is scheduled for June on Jeju Island.

Regarding his talks with Place, Won said the former French minister’s expertise and advice can help improve Korea’s democracy.

The dialogue, titled “Democracy in the Digital Era: Seizing the Initiatives for More Open, Agile Government,” will deal with evolving democracy in line with increased use of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.

“People can easily share their thoughts on social media using their smartphones and that is reshaping politics,” Won said. “It suggests the growing importance of interactive democracy between the people and the government, and Korea has a lot to learn from France, considering its sophisticated e-governance system.

“And I believe Place’s expertise and advice will give momentum for us to capitalize on the Fourth Industrial Revolution to bolster democracy.”