City University of Hong Kong (CityU) School of Law (SLW) staged a lecture entitled “Two Koreas: Where to Stand?” hosted by South Korea’s Professor Nohyoung Park on 20 November. Professor Park examined the relationship between North and South Koreas by explaining the Korean Peninsula’s post-1945 history following the end of Japanese colonial rule.

As part of the Eminent Speakers Lecture Series, Professor Park analysed the historical and social dynamic between the two Koreas. He pointed out that North Korea was one of the most difficult countries in the world to understand, due in large part to its unpredictable political machinations. He cited examples such as North Korea’s recent mix of hostile rhetoric and sometimes softer attitude towards South Korea and North Korea threatening South Korea with “merciless military measures” as it sought to protect its Yellow Sea border.

Professor Park also looked at public perceptions of the dispute and subsequent reconciliation attempts, suggesting that Koreans possibly viewed the process as relatively normal, while the outside world considered the arrangement and relationship perplexing.

Professor Wang Guiguo, Dean of SLW of CityU, said in his opening remarks, “SLW aims to equip law students with global knowledge and a worldly perspective. By attending lectures delivered by prominent professors from different countries, law students should be able to develop stronger analytical skills. It is also important for them to keep abreast of world affairs.”

Professor Park is Professor of International Law, College of Law at Korea University, and member of the International Advisory Board at SLW. He is also Director of the International Economic Law Institute of Korea and Dispute Resolution Institute of Korea. He has held government positions such as Commissioner of the Korea Trade Commission and has served as an adviser for the government and various business sectors in South Korea.