Korean relations discussed at MU

By Anna Koeppel

Published Aug. 28, 2007

Academics and advocates gathered Monday in Reynolds Alumni Center to discuss United States and MU relations with Korea during the eighth Harry S. Truman Conference.

The conference, which is held alternately in Columbia and Seoul, was established in 1989 to improve relations between MU and its 1,000 Korean alumni, as well as between the U.S. and Korea. This year's conference was titled, "Issues and Prospects for U.S.-Korea Relations and Cooperation," and began Sunday night with a welcome picnic on the Carnahan Quadrangle.

Presenters from universities in Korea as well as MU discussed topics such as North Korea's nuclear capabilities and the safety of South Korea, the free trade agreement between the United States and South Korea, and the role of journalists and the media in United States-Korean relations. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., made closing remarks.

According to a letter from Sang S. Kim, the director of the Asian Affairs Center and the Missouri International Training Institute, the conference is named after Truman to honor his role in enabling MU to offer free schooling to Korean students in the wake of the Korean War.

Since the program's beginning, more than 200 Korean students attend MU each year, the letter states.

Vice Provost Handy Williamson first discussed the role Truman played in relations between the United States and Korea.

Truman helped implement the Marshall Plan, which helped promote peace and build relationships between countries, Williamson said.

He added that the Truman Conference does the same thing.

"We're extremely proud of our Korean contacts," Williamson said.

Chancellor Brady Deaton made opening remarks at the conference, emphasizing the "vital importance that we continue to nourish these efforts."

Collaborations with Korean academics and scientists have helped research, Deaton said.

Deaton said MU's relationship with Korea is the oldest international MU link.

Heung-Kil Ko, MU Korean Alumni Association president spoke next. Ko said he was proud that this conference had been going on for such a long time without interruption. He praised Truman for assisting Koreans.

"Truman played an integral role in rescuing Korea during the Korean War in the 1960s," Ko said.

Ko said about two million Koreans live in the United States.

"I think they promote understanding of the Republic of Korea and the United States," he said.

Korean congressman Duk-Kyu Kim offered congratulatory remarks.

Kim attended graduate school at the MU School of Journalism from 1979 to 1980 and is president emeritus of the MU Korean Alumni Association.

Kim called the alliance between the United States and Korea an important step to peace and understanding.

He added that Koreans shouldn't forget the actions of American soldiers during the Korean War.

"It was their sacrifice that has kept Korea's peace and democracy safe and helped Korea rise from the ashes of war," he said.