A double dose of Korea next Wednesday

Two programs on Korea featuring the same trio of visiting experts take place Wednesday (16 May) in Indianapolis.

First up, a discussion about the Korean Peninsula, is 1:30-4 p.m. at the Sagamore Institute for Policy Research, 340 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis. Email or telephone John Clark, 317:472-9666, for reservations.

Clark says: "Although North Korea's nuclear program dominates the news coming out of the Korean Peninsula, it's not the only item worth heeding. In fact, Korean nukes may be just a side story, part of bigger economic changes taking place. These broader changes are of vital interest to Indiana. Discussing these developments will be several significant policy-shapers from the US and South Korea."

Participants are Lim Sang-Woo, Economic First Secretary, Republic of Korea Embassy in Washington DC; Robert Armstrong, Chief Economic Officer, Office of Korean Affairs, US Department of State; James Lister, Vice President of the Korean Economic Institute; Keonki Roh, Sagamore Institute Visiting Fellow (from Korean Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Energy); John Clark of the Sagamore Institute will moderate the discussion.

"Some of the topics to be discussed," Clark says, "will be the new Korea-US Free Trade Agreement and what it might mean for Indiana's economy; possible outcomes of the 'Six Party Talks' over North Korea's nuclear weapons programs; energy security in Asia; Korean perspectives on the emergence of China as a regional and global superpower; the condition of North Korea's crippled economy; anti-American policies and attitudes in South Korea. This will be a great discussion for businesspeople and others interested in Asia's economy, foreign policy devotees concerned about the spread of weapons of mass destruction, humanitarian worried about the lingering famine in North Korea, and anyone who cares about the Bush Administration's relations with one of America's closest allies (and one of its most implacable foes)."

Later in the day, "The Future of Korea" is the topic for the last dinner meeting of the season for the Indiana Council on World Affairs and the Indianapolis Committee on Foreign Relations. The social hour starts at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the talk at 7:15 p.m. in the Marten House Conference Center, 1801 West 86th Street, Indianapolis.

For reservations and information, call 317:566-2036 or email C. Matthew Fox; note: all email reservations must have 'ICWA Dinner Reservation' as the subject.

The gathering is part of the Korea Economic Institute's The Future of Korea Series Program. Participants are: Lim Sang-woo, First Secretary, Economic, Embassy of the Republic of Korea; Robert Armstrong, Chief Economic Officer , Office of Korean Affairs, US Department of State, and James Lister, Vice President, Korea Economic Institute.

This panel discussion will cover many topics including the six party talks with North Korea as well as the KORUS Free Trade Agreement and economic development issues with the Republic of Korea. The Korea Economic Institute was established in 1982 as a not-for-profit educational organization. KEI focuses its efforts in the economic area but addresses all aspects of the relations between the United States and the Republic of Korea.