At the invitation of the Northeast Asian Research Center, the School of Northeast Asian Studies, the Northeast Asian Research Institute of Jilin University and the Northeast Asia Regional Special Committee of the International Cultural Exchange Academic Alliance, Dr. Lee Min Gyu, Research Fellow at Seoul Institute of the ROK, delivered an offline academic lecture titled Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation by Local Governments of the ROK: Past, Present and Future in Kuang Yaming Building on the morning of August 24, 2025. The event was hosted by Associate Professor Xuan Chunji from the School of Northeast Asian Studies.
In the lecture, Dr. Lee reviewed the three developmental stages of inter-Korean exchanges carried out by South Korean local governments. Before 2010, local governments represented by Gangwon-do formulated relevant regulations and set up special funds for inter-Korean cooperation. However, due to insufficient experience and a passive stance from the DPRK, most policies and activities yielded no tangible results. Exchanges were mainly driven by civil groups, with a fragile foundation for bilateral cooperation.
After 2010, the DPRK launched a rural modernization campaign and improved agricultural productivity, creating new opportunities for cooperation. South Korean local governments sought to advance collaboration in less sensitive areas such as agriculture and infrastructure, yet political circumstances and sanctions kept cooperation on a small scale. Starting from 2018, inter-Korean relations saw a temporary détente during the Moon Jae-in administration. Nevertheless, international restrictions including UN Security Council Resolution 2270 greatly hampered cooperation, leaving the ROK with only limited engagement with the DPRK via international humanitarian aid. Tensions flared up again after 2019, bringing local-level exchanges to a near standstill. The whole process reveals both the flexibility and inherent limitations of local governments in promoting cross-border communication.
Dr. Lee put forward suggestions for future peace-oriented policies of South Korean local governments. First, advance cooperation in low-risk fields including agriculture, public infrastructure and humanitarian assistance to build mutual trust step by step. Second, boost city diplomacy and maintain people-to-people ties through city-level programs themed on peace to ease political obstacles. Third, cooperate with international organizations to carry out humanitarian projects while bypassing sanctions. He stressed that local governments remain irreplaceable in inter-Korean exchanges despite immense challenges, and striking a balance between national policies and local practices will be crucial for peace building on the Korean Peninsula.
Students raised active questions and engaged in in-depth academic discussions with Dr. Lee. The lecture concluded successfully in a warm academic atmosphere.
