Center for Korean Studies

Former South Korean Minister of Unification and Presidential Candidate to Address U-M Campus

Ann Arbor, Mich.– Chung Dong-young, former South Korean Minister of Unification and presidential candidate during the 2007 election, will deliver a lecture at 6:30 p.m., March 2 in the Hussey Room of the Michigan League located at 911 N. University Avenue in Ann Arbor.

Chung’s lecture, entitled “The ‘Fourth Wave’ in North and South Korea Relations,” will discuss the urgent task in Northeast Asia to overcome ongoing Cold War tensions and work toward reunification of the divided Koreas.

“In light of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to South Korea and China last week, Mr. Chung’s campus visit is an excellent opportunity for all of us to learn more about developments in the multilateral talks to maintain peace in Northeast Asia,” said David Chung, director of the Center for Korean Studies. “Mr. Chung’s visit will provide the U-M community with unique insight into the situation on the Korean Peninsula.”

During his tenure as the South Korean Minister of Unification from April 2004 until December 2005, Chung was credited for his hands-on policy approach and initiatives. This includes a lengthy meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il that was widely recognized for breaking the stalemate in the Six-Party Talks in 2005.

Chung was the presidential candidate of the United New Democratic Party in the 2007 Korean presidential election. Before entering politics, he was a journalist and the main news anchor of the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation. He is currently a visiting scholar at Duke University.
Chung's visit is sponsored by the Center for Korean Studies housed in U-M’s International Institute. The lecture is free and open to the public.