1. The Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA), together with the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, the Korea Institute for National Unification, and the Institute for National Security Strategy, held at the KNDA on May 15 an open academic conference themed “a review of the Moon Jae-in government’s achievements in the fields of foreign affairs, security and unification over its first year, and relevant challenges.”

2. The joint academic conference came as part of academic events held annually pursuant to the memorandum of understanding on cooperation the four state-run think tanks had concluded in 2014 to seek joint advances of think tanks in the fields of foreign affairs, security and unification, as well as synergistic effect from policy convergence.

3. With the Moon Jae-in government marking the first anniversary of its launch, the joint academic conference was organized as an opportunity to review the progress and achievements by the government in the areas of foreign affairs, security and unification; and to discuss what needs to be complemented as well as challenges in these fields.

- In particular, the event served as an opportunity to assess and analyze the rapidly shifting international situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula in the wake and ahead of the inter-Korean, US-North Korea and ROK-Japan-China summit talks; and to discuss the way forward for the denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

* unofficial translation