POSITIVE RSVP ONLINE ONLY:
http://belfercenter.hks.harvard.edu/events/chung.html
The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs will host a Director's Lunch with Dr. Chung Mong Joon, Member of the National Assembly of Korea, in the Belfer Center Library (L369).
In a recent New York Times article, Dr. Chung questioned the United States’ willingness to defend South Korea against a nuclear threat, “the Americans don’t feel the North Korean nuclear weapons as a direct threat. At a time of crisis, we are not 100 percent sure whether the Americans will cover us with its nuclear umbrella.”
The Times further commented on the sentiments of many South Koreans: “Experts say the talk of South Korea’s acquiring nuclear weapons is an oblique way to voice the concerns of a small but growing number of South Koreans that the United States, either because of budget cuts or a lack of will, may one day no longer act as the South’s ultimate insurance policy.” Furthermore, “Dr. Chung and others say that if the United States does not allow South Korea to develop its own nuclear arms, it should at least restore the nuclear balance on the Korean Peninsula by reintroducing American atomic weapons, which were removed from bases in the South in 1991 in a post-cold-war effort to reduce tensions.” (New York Times, March 10, 2013)
Dr. Chung Mong Joon is a seven-term member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. He is a former Chairman of the Grand National Party, and was also a presidential candidate in 2002.
Dr. Chung is the Chairman of the board of trustees of Ulsan University and the Asan Foundation, the largest philanthropic organization in Korea. In 2011, he launched the Asan Nanum (˝sharing˝) Foundation which seeks to foster entrepreneurship and leadership among young Koreans. He served as Vice President of FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association), the world governing body of football, and as Co-Chairman of the Korean Organizing Committee for the 2002 Korea-Japan FIFA World Cup.
Dr. Chung received his bachelor’s in economics from Seoul National University, a master’s of science from the Sloan School of Management at MIT, and a doctorate in international relations from the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at the Johns Hopkins University.
POSITIVE RSVP ONLINE ONLY:
http://belfercenter.hks.harvard.edu/events/chung.html
As space is limited for this event, RSVPs will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Belfer Center Lunches are strictly off-the-record. By requesting to attend the Lunch, you agree that you will comply with the Belfer Center's strict policy against recording or disclosing the contents of the seminar. Your access is conditioned on your compliance with these restrictions. Should you violate these rules, the Center will pursue all available legal options and you will be excluded from all future events.
