Overview:

KEI sponsored a Future of Korea series program between June 16 and 18, 2009 with the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council, World Affairs Council of Hawai'i (PAAC). The program consisted of four events: two panel presentations, one Six Party Talks simulation, and a media event.

Participants:

Greg Scarlatoiu, KEI Director of Public Affairs and Business Issues, and Paul Loh, Office of Korean Affairs, U.S. Department of State, gave two panel presentations, and Nicole Finnemann, KEI Director of Academic Affairs and Research, conducted a Six Party Talks simulation. Greg Scarlatoiu and Nicole Finnemann were also the featured panelists on a local TV talk show.

The Events:

On Tuesday, June 16, Greg Scarlatoiu and Paul Loh gave a dinner panel presentation hosted by PAAC at The Plaza Club in Honolulu. The presentation was attended by over 80 guests, including two State senators, the President of the East-West Center Hawai'i, three former U.S. Ambassadors, a retired four star Admiral, a retired USAF Lieutenant General, senior private sector representatives, the President of the Hawai'i Korean Chamber of Commerce, the ROK Consul in Honolulu, various World Affairs members, their guests, and high school students from the local area receiving scholarships and awards to go on a one-week study trip to Korea. Greg Scarlatoiu addressed economic and financial issues including the KORUS FTA, Paul Loh discussed political and security issues, and then they engaged in a Q&A session with the participants.

On Tuesday, June 16, Nicole Finnemann facilitated KEI’s Six Party Talks simulation for a group of upper class high school students chosen by the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council to participate in a summer session on Korea. At the request of PAAC, the high school students also attended the main panel presentation by Greg Scarlatoiu and Paul Loh.

On Wednesday, June 17, Greg Scarlatoiu and Nicole Finnemann, together with a Honolulu-based academic, were the featured panelists on the local TV talk show Think Tech Talks, under the theme Asia in Review - The Implications of the Recent Tension between North and South Korea.

On Thursday, June 18, Greg Scarlatoiu, Paul Loh and Nicole Finnemann were the featured panelists at a breakfast event at Pacific Forum CSIS. Greg Scarlatoiu addressed economic and financial issues including the KORUS FTA, Paul Loh addressed political and security issues, and Nicole Finnemann concentrated on negotiating with North Korea. The audience comprised over 30 participants, including: former senior diplomats and military officers, Korea experts, private sector representatives, and representatives of think tanks and the military.