Forum: Understanding North Korea and Possibilities

Understanding North Korea and Possibilities from Diplomacy to Nuclear War

6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Wednesday, October 11 2017

The forum will be held at: 
Howard Thurman Center, Great Room
775 Commonwealth Ave, Basement 

What do you know about North Korea other than that it poses one of the biggest dangers for nuclear war in the world, and that its leader, Kim Jung-un, and President Trump keep raising the temperature between the two countries?

Shouldn’t you know more? Come to the BU Student-Faculty Forum: Understanding North Korea and Possibilities from Diplomacy to Nuclear War on Wednesday, October 11, 6:30-8:00 p.m., in the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground (GSU lower level).

Context:
The Korean War between the North and South broke out in 1950, with the United States deeply involved. Although the Korean Armistice Treaty was signed in 1953, no peace treaty has ever been signed, so the war is not over, and from time to time tensions flare to threaten it heating up again. The UN has sanctioned North Korea for its nuclear weapons development and tests, and not only has it recently tested even more powerful bombs, it has been testing missile systems over Japanese territory, and using missiles perhaps capable of reaching American targets. Kim Jung-un, the leader of North Korea, and Donald Trump have been increasing tensions through their words with Trump calling Kim “Rocket Man,” and Kim calling Trump a “dotard.” At the UN, Trump threatened to “totally destroy North Korea.”

During the Student-Faculty Forum 4 BU experts will offer brief remarks to help us all become more informed about North Korea and the possibilities of peace and war. They are Professors Thomas Berger, an expert on Asian politics and international relations; Neta Crawford, an expert on international relations theory, war, and peace-building; Robert Loftis, a career member of the U.S. Foreign Service, retired Ambassador, and leader of political-military negotiations with the Republic of Korea in 2004-07; and Jayita Sarkar, a historian with expertise in U.S. foreign policy and nuclear proliferation. We will leave plenty of time for questions and discussion.

Appetizers will be served.