In April, a delegation from the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (Shorenstein APARC) traveled to China. The visit was part of Shorenstein APARC's broader effort to introduce the work of the center to Asia by connecting with scholars, policymakers, business leaders, and journalists across the region.

The delegation, which included center director Gi-Wook Shin, Michael H. Armacost, Jean C. Oi, Daniel C. Sneider, and Neeley Main, visited three cities, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Beijing. The group participated in roundtable discussions on foreign policy issues facing U.S. and China with the Shanghai Institute for International Studies and with scholars at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou; visited a steel plant; and met with executives and leaders from Baosteel Group Corporation, PetroChina, Cybernaut, and the People's Bank of China; journalists from Chinese media outlets; and development and research foundations of the Chinese government.

FSI Director Coit D. Blacker joined the group for several meetings in Beijing, including a roundtable discussion of pressing international policy issues with the Central Party School's foreign affairs research group, the China Reform Forum; meetings with both the School for International Studies and the School of Government at Peking University; and meetings with Stanford alumni.

Ten 2007 POSCO NGO Fellows were selected by the Fellowship Admission Committee during the first POSCO NGO Conference held on April 26 and 27, at George Washington University.

George Washington University:

Mr. Sanghoon Lee, Korea Federation for Environmental Movements

Ms. Mi-Kang Yang, Asia Peace and Historical Education

Indiana University:

Ms. Jin Young Park, Korean Women Workers Associations United

Mr. Chang Sun Kim, Ulsan Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice

Columbia University:

Ms. Hee Sun Park, Civil Solidarity for Open Society

Mr. Sung Bong Kang, The Educational Foundation for Koreans Abroad

University of British Columbia:

Ms. Jungok Chun, Easy Access Movement for People with Disabilities in Korea

Mr. Kangbaek Lee, Beautiful Store

Stanford University:

Ms. Kyungsook Lee, Korean Women's Association United

Mr. Ji-hoon Lee, Jeju Solidarity for Participatory Self-government and Environmental Preservation

On April 27, Dr. Gi-Wook Shin presented a paper entitled "North Korea and Contending South Korean Identities: Analysis of the South Korean Media and Policy Implications for the United States," co-authored with Kristin C. Burke, at the Korea Economic Institute in Washington, D.C. This paper is part of a larger study of American and Korean media coverage of the U.S.-ROK alliance and the DPRK.

This paper argues that while U.S. officials approach the alliance and the DPRK as matters of national security policy, these issues are fundamental to the evolution of South Korean national identity in the post-Cold War, post-authoritarian era. Using data on media frames used by two prominent Korean newspapers from 1992 to 2003, this paper examines how Korean conservatives and progressives have advocated their views of North Korea and how the terms of this debate have changed since the implementation of the Sunshine Policy.

As South Koreans seek to redefine their national identity in the context of a developing regional and global order, there is deep and bitter division within South Korea over North Korea and the alliance. The process of reformulating national identity can be contentious and conflict-ridden and is not likely to be resolved soon. The nature of this political division on the question of identity, explored in this paper, means that even if South Korean conservatives win the upcoming presidential election, there is not likely to be a dramatic change in policies or attitudes. The debate over North Korea is a durable feature of the political landscape in the South, and the U.S. faces distinct policy challenges in coordinating with a government that represents a starkly divided polity.

For the full text of this paper, please visit the link to KEI, KEI Academic Paper Series.

On Thursday, June 7, 2007, Daniel I. Okimoto, director-emeritus and co-founder of the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center in the Freeman Spogli Institute at Stanford University was awarded The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. Professor Okimoto was chosen for "his contribution to the promotion of scholarship and academic exchange between Japan and the United States."

According to the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, Professor Okimoto was chosen for the following contributions to Japan:

1. Walter H. Shorenstein Asia Pacific Research Center

In 1978, Prof. Okimoto established a multi-disciplinary research center called the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (Shorenstein APARC) at Stanford University which focuses on the study of key issues in public policy involving the United States and Asia. Prof. Okimoto served as the Director of APARC for 12 years from 1985 to 1997 during which time he held many conferences and seminars on the political economy of both Japan and the United States. Through those activities, Shorenstein APARC contributed to deepening the mutual understanding for people in the field of politics and economics of both countries.

2. Japan-U.S. Legislative Leaders Meeting and Asia Pacific Roundtable

Prof. Okimoto approached some U.S. Congressmen and organized a Japan-U.S. Legislative Leaders Meeting. For 14 years from 1984 to 1998, this annual meeting helped to promote exchanges between political leaders in Japan and the United States and advance mutual understanding between the two countries. In 1999, the Japan-U.S. Legislative Leaders Meeting became the Asia Pacific Roundtable and included leaders from the entire Asian region as well as from Japan and the United Sates. The Asia Pacific Roundtable has been instrumental in enhancing exchange among the political leaders of Japan, the United States and other Asian countries.

3. Asia Pacific Scholarship Program

Prof. Okimoto established the Asia Pacific Scholarship Program at Stanford University in 1997. Stanford University selected the best and brightest college graduates from Asian countries as well as from Japan and gave them an opportunity to study in graduate programs at Stanford University on scholarship. Highly promising young Japanese scholars were also selected and had an opportunity to study at Stanford University through this scholarship program.