Global Issues Symposium: Ambassador Kathleen Stephens: "Militarization and Demilitarization on the Korean Peninsula”

This event is part of the Global Issues Symposium 2019, which carries the theme of "Militarization of Global Politics, Economy & Society." It’s organized by the International Studies Program.

This panel talk, “Militarization and Demilitarization on the Korean Peninsula” will be presented by Ambassador Kathleen Stephens, former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea. The talk is part of a panel titled "Militarized East Asia."

"The post-World War II division of Korea resulted not only in an unfinished war but in the rise of two highly militarized (and in the case of North Korea, nuclearized) Korean states, separated by a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that was and remains anything but demilitarized.

“How did the enormous role of their respective militaries, and those of outside powers, shape politics and society in the two competing states? How has that changed?

“In 2018 both Koreas took important steps toward demilitarization. How will these moves relate to denuclearization? What about the United States, and its military alliance with South Korea?’’

Ambassador (ret.) Stephens was the U.S. mbassador to the Republic of Korea from 2008 to 2011. Other overseas assignments included postings to China, the former Yugoslavia, Portugal, and Northern Ireland. She is currently the president and CEO of the Korea Economic Institute of America based in Washington, D.C.