Stanford Researcher to Present on U.S.-Korea Relations at Boise U of I Event

BOISE, Idaho — Stanford University Professor Gi-Wook Shin will speak about the history and future of American-Korean relations in a public speaking event 5 p.m. Thursday, April 27 in the Idaho Water Center in downtown Boise.

Shin, who directs the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center and the Korea Program at Stanford, will highlight how U.S. relations with South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, have evolved over 70 years since the two nations signed a security agreement.

The talk is sponsored by University of Idaho’s Idaho Asia Institute and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle.

"We are excited to welcome a leading scholar of Korean studies in the U.S.,” said Jeff Kyong-McClain, director of the Idaho Asia Institute and associate professor of history at U of I. “This event offers an opportunity for us to better understand the Republic of Korea’s vibrant democracy and economy, as well as broader conditions in Asia and Idaho’s role in the region.”

Shin’s speech, “From MASH to BTS: The Evolution of US-ROK Relations Beyond a Security Alliance” will touch on how the two nations’ partnerships on political issues — including competition with China and North Korean nuclear proliferation threats — have grown to partnerships in trade, and the influence of Korean culture in America, particularly the rise of K-Pop and K-Drama. He will highlight how America’s relationship with South Korea has become a success story of fighting off military aggression and communism, achieving economic success, transitioning into a liberal democracy and being a leader of soft power in the world.

The Idaho Asia Institute is a multidisciplinary center at U of I that promotes understanding of and engagement with the many nations and cultures of Asia. Through the promotion of a diverse range of Asia-related programming on and off campus, the Institute provides U of I students, faculty and staff, as well as all citizens of Idaho, opportunities to prepare for the global twenty-first century.

Kyong-McClain will moderate the event. Consul General Eunji Seo, of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle, will offer introductory comment. Slayton Assistant Professor of East Asian Politics Chen Wang, who studies China, will also provide remarks.

The talk, which will feature prepared remarks and an audience question-and-answer session, will be held in the Legacy Pointe room of the Idaho Water Center, located at 322 E. Front St. A reception for the event begins at 4:30 p.m.

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