Calvin students and experts team up to provide insight on the situation in North Korea

On Tuesday, April 30, the political science department will be hosting a forum entitled "North Korea: Real and Present Danger?" Organizers say the event's goal is to increase public understanding of a situation that is of significant importance to international peace and security.
 
"There has been much news coverage of the situation, but most people don't understand the broader historical context or the current strategic context well enough to be able to make much sense of this situation. We hope to help them in doing so," said Joel Westra, Calvin College professor of political science.
 
Westra says students will be introducing the conversation through a series of presentations that provide historical context of the Korean War and North Korea's nuclear programs. The presentations touch on the following topics: How Korea became split into two countries; the relationship of the two countries since the split; what the current situation is; and how the current situation affects other countries including the United States.
 
Following the presentations, a panel of experts will share their insights on questions and concerns submitted by students and then field additional questions from those in attendance.
 
The panel includes: Westra, an expert in international security and foreign policy, political science professor Kevin den Dulk, who serves as the Paul B. Henry Institute chair, Todd Huizinga '80, a recent retiree of the U.S. State Department, and Kyung Sung Kim, a senior international relations major from South Korea.
 
The forum, which is open to the public, will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the DeVos Center Lobby on the east-side of Calvin's campus. Refreshments will be provided following the forum.
 
For more info, contact Joyce Steigenga at 616-526-6555 or jsteigen@calvin.edu

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Received on Fri Apr 26 08:54:08 2013