Alon Levkowitz
Department of International Relations
Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Nicole Finnemann
Director of Research & Academic Affairs
Korea Economic Institute

Until the 1960's, the Middle East was not of much importance to South Korea. However, South Korea’s economic involvement in the region increased throughout the years, comprised of significant investment projects and later, in the 1990's, the emergence of South Korean military involvement as well. With a recent and significant UAE-ROK nuclear facility deal, the presence of ROK troops in the region, and the continuing parallels drawn between Iran and North Korea, Dr. Levkowitz' paper breaks down the extent of South Korean influence in the Middle East and offers a glimpse of an underexplored cross-regional relationship. Please join us on August 4th for a lunchtime presentation by Dr. Levkowitz followed by an open discussion in which KEI welcomes your participation.

OFF THE RECORD

Dr. Alon Levkowitz earned his Ph.D. in 2004 from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Since then, he has taught at the Hebrew University, Tel-Aviv University and Hanyang University. His current research includes the role of the Korean Peninsula in Asian security, Asian regional institutions, U.S. defense policy, Korea-Middle East relations, and alliance politics. Dr. Levkowitz has published many scholarly articles, contributed to several book chapters, presented numerous conference papers, and published Korea: Politics and History in 2003.