THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF KOREA INSTITUTE FOR ASEAN STUDIES, BUSAN UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN STUDIES (KIAS-BUFS)
, 07/06/2021 15:06On 27 and 28 May, the 2021 International Conference - “Breakthroughs of Area Studies and ASEAN in the era of homo untact” and “Strengthening Future-Oriented Korea-Mekong Strategic Partnership'' was hosted by Korea Institute of ASEAN Studies - BUFS in Seoul. The conference streamed on Zoom welcomed participation of researchers and delegations from universities in Korea as well as other international higher education institutes.
The kick-off day focused on “Breakthroughs of Area Studies and ASEAN in the era of homo untact”, in which speakers presented their research on Covid-19 related issues in Southeast Asia. According to Prof Stephen, UAE, learning about pandemics was also a way to learn about a country’s history. Based on narratives of British diplomats and soldiers who were in Burma during the period from 1775-1850, Malaria, the plague which severely damaged Batavia (Jakarta, Indonesia) showed a fairly comprehensive overview of economics and society at the time.
In another study, speaker Michael (Sacramento State University, USA) also pointed out similarities of several bygone pandemics in Southeast Asia countries. Most of them broke out in populated areas where commercial and industrial activities occurred regularly. Those hectic trading activities led to a sharp rise in travel between regions. As a consequence, the spread of the pandemic also increased accordingly.
In addition, the speaker noted that there was usually an animal allegedly believed to be a disease’s carrier in the history of pandemics in Southeast Asia. He referred to the great Hanoi rat hunt in the early 19th century as an example. Rats were hunted across the entire city as people believed that they were the cause of the bubonic plague. History repeats itself when this time another animal is doubted as the carrier of the Covid-19 virus - the bat.
Discussions on the second day revolved around the Korea-Mekong Strategic Partnership. In the morning session, speakers presented about medical collaborations and measures to boost bilateral cooperation, human exchange as well as tourism activities between Korea and Mekong countries. According to statistics from the Presidential Committee on Southern Policy, ASEAN-Korea Center, the number of Koreans coming to Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam grew gradually from 2015-2019, in which Vietnam witnessed the highest number of Korean visitors. On the other hand, people visiting Korea from five Mekong countries also rose (Thailand was in the first position).
Presentations in the afternoon session concentrated on Diplomatic and Security cooperation and strategic economic cooperation Mekong-ROK. The security situation in Myanmar was the main event among all other presentations. Many remarks and opinions were raised; all geared towards peace, fairness and stability of the region. Strategic economic activities between Korea and Mekong countries have seen positive development, especially those of Korea and Vietnam. Korea was the fifth largest trading partner of Vietnam and Vietnam was the fourth largest trading partner of Korea, said Prof Kwon Yul, Korea Institute for International Economic Policy.In terms of export activities, Vietnam was the third largest exporter of Korea’s market and also ranked the fifth in Korea’s import market.
The conference played a crucial role in maintaining and boosting the Mekong-Rok as well as the whole Southeast Asia region partnership in both research and economic activities.
Some photos of the conference:
Source: Website ISEAS-BUFS - (Korea Institute for ASEAN Studies, Busan University of Foreign Studies).
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