Foredrag: Kina, Nordkorea og stabilitet i Østasien

TIME: Wednesday, 13 June, 17.30 – 20

VENUE: Tokai University European Center, Vedbæk Strandvej 476, 2950 Vedbæk

After a decade of relative quiescence and rapprochement between North and South Korea, two North Korean provocations in 2010 (Cheonan and Yeonpyeong) presented China with a dramatic escalation of the confrontation on the Korean peninsula.

TIME: Wednesday, 13 June, 17.30 – 20

VENUE: Tokai University European Center, Vedbæk Strandvej 476, 2950 Vedbæk

After a decade of relative quiescence and rapprochement between North and South Korea, two North Korean provocations in 2010 (Cheonan and Yeonpyeong) presented China with a dramatic escalation of the confrontation on the Korean peninsula.

China shares a common border of 552 km with North Korea, and as a critical part of China’s ‘near abroad’, the primary Chinese interest is stability in North Korea and avoiding a collapse of the communist/Stalinist regime.

Denuclearization is also a Chinese interest, but in the end it is more important to bolster the regime with food and fuel so as to avoid, among others, the threat of thousands of refugees flying from chaos and attempting to cross the border. The basic Chinese interests have to be evaluated in the broader context of international relations in East Asia, especially in relation to the role of the United States in the region.

Dr. Erik Beukel has since 2003 been senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), where he is attached to the research unit on defence and security. His areas of expertise include China in international relations, regional conflicts in Asia and the interplay between economies and security, American foreign policy, and the Cold War.

Research related activities over the years include membership of the Nordic Committee on International Relations (1979-1990), the Danish Commission on Security and Disarmament (1981-1993), as well as various judging committees.

Dr. Beukel hold degrees in political science from Aarhus University and has spent time in North America as visiting scholar at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver (1998), Harvard University (1983), and Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. (1976). In addition, he held the Jean Monnet chair in European political integration at the University of Southern Denmark from 1997-2002.

The lecture will last approximately one hour, followed by a Q&A session. Refreshments will be served after the lecture.

Advance notice of attendance is appreciated. Please note that the lecture will be in English.

Contact:
Tel.: 45 89 08 09 / E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.u-tokai.dk