Institute for Strategy and Reconciliation
Encyclopedia
The Institute for Strategy and Reconciliation (ISR) is an independent, non-profit international institution approved by both the U.S government and the Minister of Reunification of the Republic of Korea. As a think tank and international relief and development organization headquartered in Washington DC, ISR conducts various humanitarian and reconciliation projects. ISR carries out research projects in the fields of science, culture, education, religion, and health with the aid of the ISR Global Research Internship Program (GRIP). ISR also addresses policy challenges promoting international and national reconciliation, and facilitates conflict resolution policy developments in civilian and government programs.
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regions in Asia and Europe. The U.S public policy research includes research of policy-educational programs in governments and think tanks to empower Asian Americans, and research of American educational resources to assist foreign students studying in the States. Other programs meeting the mission of ISR are considered.
relief web.
Reconciliation Child Project is a project launched by the ISR focusing on caring for the medicine needs of emaciated children and pregnant/nursing women of DPR Korea. Since its initial medical aid to the DPRK in 1998, ISR RAMs have periodically visited the DPRK to certify drugs are being distributed to the sick people of DPRK as well as assess medical needs for the next shipment of medication. DPR Korea Ministry of Public Health and medical doctors have expressed their heart-felt gratitude for the efforts of ISR, and ISR President Asaph Young Chun stated that “The ISR’s RAMs is a servant passing such a reconciliation hope with a medical aid.” Such years of effort finally paid off when the ISR was allowed to access all DPRK provinces for health programs. It has been perceived by some that the medicines donated by Korean-Americans opened reconciliation gates between DRPK and the United States.
Project Reconciliation for the Disabled is an ISR launched project for the purpose of sending wheelchairs and crutches and manufacturing artificial limbs for the disabled of DPRK. The institute appealed at fall of 1999 to send such medical equipment to the disabled of DPRK. In response to this appeal, the America Wheat Mission, Inc. kicked off a national campaign in March 2000 to send 150 wheel chairs and 500 crutches. Also, the ISR became the only institute to manufacture artificial limbs in DPRK in 2007. Until the year 2008, 200 wheel chairs, crutches and 40,000 artificial limbs have been sent to the DPR Korea.
Medical Lab Renovation for the Disabled is a pilot program currently being devised by the Global Research Internship Program. It relates to the poor medical facility for the disabled in DPRK and ISR’s assessment for a need for a better equipped facility.
, US Agency for International Development
, House International Relations Committee
, Senate Foreign Relations Committee
, and European Union
among others. ISR also conducts independent researches on various matters, such as the number of separated families and also forecasts the results of American and Korean elections – general and midterm alike.
In 2007, ISR President and a senior research scientist, Asaph Young Chun announced that, according to its research data, the number of those who have a close relative remaining in the DPRK among those who currently reside in the United States is approximately 104,000. He stated “I wish that this information could be used as basic background information needed in order for Congress to pass a bill on having these separated families meet each other again.”
ISR has accurately forecasted every presidential election since 2004 and the results of each midterm. By using the ‘ISR G3 Forecasting Model,’ ISR predicted a win for President Bush in the 2004 elections by 51.1 percent in the popular vote compared to a 47.8 percent in the popular vote for John Kerry. The actual result was a 51 to 48 win for President Bush. During the 2008 presidential election, ISR used the same model to predict a major win for Senator Barack Obama with 52.2 percent of the popular vote and 378 Electoral College votes. The actual result was an Obama win with 52 percent of the popular vote and 364 Electoral College votes. ISR has also successfully foreseen a Democrat win of the majority in both houses in the 2006 midterms and is the only organization to accurately predict a 51 to 49 majority win for the Democratic Party in the Senate in 2006. ISR also successfully forecasted a win for President Lee Myung Bak during the 2007 presidential election.
, public health
, long-term relief and development, and energy rehabilitation among others. The forum featuring influential senior governmental and non-governmental policymakers is the meeting place of all concerned about Korean issues, encouraging frank discussions on Korea policy options.
As an extension of the Washington North Korea Forum, the first Korean Peninsula Reconciliation Forum was held in the fall of 2004. As the Washington North Korea Forum focuses on raising awareness of the United States government, the United Nations, and international NGOs, the Korean Peninsula Reconciliation Forum focuses on encouraging debates and discussions on DPRK of the Republic of Korea government, Korean think tanks, forums, and Korean NGOs.
Computer Education to North Korean Teens is gradually being implemented after the ISR agreed with DPRK in 2001 to provide computer education to teens in a joint middle and high school on the humanitarian ground. This model computer education program is planned to extend to develop model high schools in 11 provinces. Such years of effort finally paid off in the summer of 2008 when DPRK and ISR agreed to establish computer labs in DPRK’s elementary and middle schools to upgrade the academic curriculum to modern standards. From the first model computer lab to the last lab, the computer facilities and software licenses will be worked out on all government, corporate, and NGO levels. Historically, it will be the first cooperation between the North and South to impact DPRK’s education system. This program is currently being revised by the Global Research Internship Program.
(ROK) and Japan formed Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization
(KEDO) in 1995 to implement the Agreed Framework signed between the US and the DPRK in 1994. Under the Agreed Framework, the DPRK agreed to “freeze” and eventually dismantle its production reactors in return for two proliferation resistant commercial nuclear reactor
s of the light water type (LWR) and 500,000 metric tons
of heavy fuel oil
each year, until the first LWR unit goes into operation.
John B. Mulligan, director of Project Operations claimed in his paper, which was presented at the 7th Washington North Korea Forum, “If you spend more than a few hours in the DPRK you are left with little doubt that its electrical power system is in need of major rehabilitation! Power blackouts are frequent, often leaving you sitting with your DPRK counterparts in a darkened meeting room.” He continued to elaborate the antiquated reality of the DPRK by saying, “As you drive along the roads you will see an electrical distribution system in disrepair – power distribution poles with archaic porcelain insulators on power pole cross arms that are askew. Power lines are often drooping near the ground or have fallen down completely. Much of the substation equipment pre-dates WWII.”
Despite years of funding and effort, however, in 2005 there were reports indicating that KEDO had agreed in principle to terminate the light-water reactor project. On January 9, 2006, it was announced that the project was over and the workers would be returning to their home countries. On May 31, 2006, The Executive Board of KEDO decided to terminate the LWR project.
As an integral part of the ISR programs, GRIP interns are offered with opportunities for which they can use and enhance their talents by working closely with international experts in the field. A number of high school internship programs are uniquely online based so overseas interns can still have ample opportunities to assist and contribute to innovative ISR programs of policy research and international relief and development. High school interns who may be locally available in Washington DC are also offered with hands-on program experience of attending policy meetings and assisting with major events organized by ISR.
Interns work on many different fields, all of which are crucial. Interns of 2010 are working on 1) Conducting research on establishing a model computer lab in DPR Korea, 2) Conducting research on implementing a conversational English program, 3) Conducting research on renovating a medical lab for the disabled.
The Reconciliation Essay Contest is an Annual writing contest which motivates students in K-12 to be leaders and partners of reconciliation.
The Professionals without Borders is an Annual conference of professionals studying in the United States who come from countries which are currently divided or reunited
Legal Structure and Finance
The ISR’s organizational structure consists of a board of trustees, and an advisory council. Since the institution is closely tied to both the United States and the Republic of South Korea, the Board of Trustees is composed of those who live in each nation and is categorized based on the country they reside in. The ISR’s research programs and management are implemented by fully abiding the U.S laws and being transparent to the public. The Institute’s operating budget is provided by corporate and individual donors, the institute’s programs are supported by grants and endowments made by private foundations and governments. The institute’s annual finance report is audited by a certified public accountantCertified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant is the statutory title of qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA...
.
Program Objectives
The ISR’s program focus is on conducting both the humanitarian research and the U.S public policy research and studies. The humanitarian research includes research of food relief, sustainable agricultural development, and restoration of public health, infrastructure in DPR Korea, and other humanitarian crisisHumanitarian crisis
A humanitarian crisis is an event or series of events which represents a critical threat to the health, safety, security or wellbeing of a community or other large group of people, usually over a wide area...
regions in Asia and Europe. The U.S public policy research includes research of policy-educational programs in governments and think tanks to empower Asian Americans, and research of American educational resources to assist foreign students studying in the States. Other programs meeting the mission of ISR are considered.
Activities
ISR conducts plans to enhance the medical system in DPRK as well as the academic curriculum to fit modern standards by providing IT support, sends humanitarian aid, hosts forums to engage vigorously on reconciliation, and carries out its own independent research projects.Medical and Health Aid Programs in DPR Korea
From 1998 to 2008, ISR has sent over $31 million value of essential medicines and medical supplies in eight shipments to DPR Korea. Its target beneficiaries are children, elderly, pregnant/nursing women, and the disabled. The ISR “Reconciliation Ambassadors with Medicines” (RAMs) have made periodic visits to DPR Korea to observe beneficiaries of medical distribution, and assess the nation’s needs for sustainable health and education. Reports are periodically documented in the UNUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
relief web.
Reconciliation Child Project is a project launched by the ISR focusing on caring for the medicine needs of emaciated children and pregnant/nursing women of DPR Korea. Since its initial medical aid to the DPRK in 1998, ISR RAMs have periodically visited the DPRK to certify drugs are being distributed to the sick people of DPRK as well as assess medical needs for the next shipment of medication. DPR Korea Ministry of Public Health and medical doctors have expressed their heart-felt gratitude for the efforts of ISR, and ISR President Asaph Young Chun stated that “The ISR’s RAMs is a servant passing such a reconciliation hope with a medical aid.” Such years of effort finally paid off when the ISR was allowed to access all DPRK provinces for health programs. It has been perceived by some that the medicines donated by Korean-Americans opened reconciliation gates between DRPK and the United States.
Project Reconciliation for the Disabled is an ISR launched project for the purpose of sending wheelchairs and crutches and manufacturing artificial limbs for the disabled of DPRK. The institute appealed at fall of 1999 to send such medical equipment to the disabled of DPRK. In response to this appeal, the America Wheat Mission, Inc. kicked off a national campaign in March 2000 to send 150 wheel chairs and 500 crutches. Also, the ISR became the only institute to manufacture artificial limbs in DPRK in 2007. Until the year 2008, 200 wheel chairs, crutches and 40,000 artificial limbs have been sent to the DPR Korea.
Medical Lab Renovation for the Disabled is a pilot program currently being devised by the Global Research Internship Program. It relates to the poor medical facility for the disabled in DPRK and ISR’s assessment for a need for a better equipped facility.
Research and Studies
From 1998 to 2004, ISR has presented over 120 analysis briefings of DPR Korea issues and policy options to governmental and nongovernmental institutions, UN agencies, the NGO community, and international gatherings of stakeholders to help improve engagement between DPRK and the United States. Audience of ISR briefings included US Department of StateUnited States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
, US Agency for International Development
United States Agency for International Development
The United States Agency for International Development is the United States federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. President John F. Kennedy created USAID in 1961 by executive order to implement development assistance programs in the areas...
, House International Relations Committee
United States House Committee on International Relations
The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the U.S. House of Representatives, also known as the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives which has jurisdiction over bills and investigations related to the foreign affairs of the United States...
, Senate Foreign Relations Committee
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
The United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is a standing committee of the United States Senate. It is charged with leading foreign-policy legislation and debate in the Senate. The Foreign Relations Committee is generally responsible for overseeing and funding foreign aid programs as...
, and European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
among others. ISR also conducts independent researches on various matters, such as the number of separated families and also forecasts the results of American and Korean elections – general and midterm alike.
In 2007, ISR President and a senior research scientist, Asaph Young Chun announced that, according to its research data, the number of those who have a close relative remaining in the DPRK among those who currently reside in the United States is approximately 104,000. He stated “I wish that this information could be used as basic background information needed in order for Congress to pass a bill on having these separated families meet each other again.”
ISR has accurately forecasted every presidential election since 2004 and the results of each midterm. By using the ‘ISR G3 Forecasting Model,’ ISR predicted a win for President Bush in the 2004 elections by 51.1 percent in the popular vote compared to a 47.8 percent in the popular vote for John Kerry. The actual result was a 51 to 48 win for President Bush. During the 2008 presidential election, ISR used the same model to predict a major win for Senator Barack Obama with 52.2 percent of the popular vote and 378 Electoral College votes. The actual result was an Obama win with 52 percent of the popular vote and 364 Electoral College votes. ISR has also successfully foreseen a Democrat win of the majority in both houses in the 2006 midterms and is the only organization to accurately predict a 51 to 49 majority win for the Democratic Party in the Senate in 2006. ISR also successfully forecasted a win for President Lee Myung Bak during the 2007 presidential election.
Washington North Korea Forum
ISR has hosted 14 forums since 1999 on critical issues of DPR Korea on Korea policies, presidential summit between North and South Korea, American policies toward Korea, economic developmentEconomic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
, public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
, long-term relief and development, and energy rehabilitation among others. The forum featuring influential senior governmental and non-governmental policymakers is the meeting place of all concerned about Korean issues, encouraging frank discussions on Korea policy options.
As an extension of the Washington North Korea Forum, the first Korean Peninsula Reconciliation Forum was held in the fall of 2004. As the Washington North Korea Forum focuses on raising awareness of the United States government, the United Nations, and international NGOs, the Korean Peninsula Reconciliation Forum focuses on encouraging debates and discussions on DPRK of the Republic of Korea government, Korean think tanks, forums, and Korean NGOs.
Advocacy, Humanitarian Aid, and Partnership
ISR coordinated a national advocacy campaign in 1998 to appeal the US government to send 500,000 tons of American wheat surplus to DPR Korea. The US government provided 300,000 tons of wheat aid to DPR Korea. The institute also appealed to the US government for sustaining humanitarian aid to DPR Korea in 2003. In addition, the ISR is a founding member of the InterAction North Korea Working Group, a consortium of about 30 international NGOs working in DPR Korea.Computer Education to North Korean Teens is gradually being implemented after the ISR agreed with DPRK in 2001 to provide computer education to teens in a joint middle and high school on the humanitarian ground. This model computer education program is planned to extend to develop model high schools in 11 provinces. Such years of effort finally paid off in the summer of 2008 when DPRK and ISR agreed to establish computer labs in DPRK’s elementary and middle schools to upgrade the academic curriculum to modern standards. From the first model computer lab to the last lab, the computer facilities and software licenses will be worked out on all government, corporate, and NGO levels. Historically, it will be the first cooperation between the North and South to impact DPRK’s education system. This program is currently being revised by the Global Research Internship Program.
The KEDO LWR Project and its Potential Benefits in Preparing North Korea for Rehabilitation
The United States (US), the Republic of KoreaSouth Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
(ROK) and Japan formed Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization
Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization
The Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization is an organization founded on March 15, 1995 by the United States, South Korea, and Japan to implement the 1994 U.S.-North Korea Agreed Framework that froze North Korea's indigenous nuclear power plant development centered at the Yongbyon...
(KEDO) in 1995 to implement the Agreed Framework signed between the US and the DPRK in 1994. Under the Agreed Framework, the DPRK agreed to “freeze” and eventually dismantle its production reactors in return for two proliferation resistant commercial nuclear reactor
Nuclear reactor
A nuclear reactor is a device to initiate and control a sustained nuclear chain reaction. Most commonly they are used for generating electricity and for the propulsion of ships. Usually heat from nuclear fission is passed to a working fluid , which runs through turbines that power either ship's...
s of the light water type (LWR) and 500,000 metric tons
Tonne
The tonne, known as the metric ton in the US , often put pleonastically as "metric tonne" to avoid confusion with ton, is a metric system unit of mass equal to 1000 kilograms. The tonne is not an International System of Units unit, but is accepted for use with the SI...
of heavy fuel oil
Fuel oil
Fuel oil is a fraction obtained from petroleum distillation, either as a distillate or a residue. Broadly speaking, fuel oil is any liquid petroleum product that is burned in a furnace or boiler for the generation of heat or used in an engine for the generation of power, except oils having a flash...
each year, until the first LWR unit goes into operation.
John B. Mulligan, director of Project Operations claimed in his paper, which was presented at the 7th Washington North Korea Forum, “If you spend more than a few hours in the DPRK you are left with little doubt that its electrical power system is in need of major rehabilitation! Power blackouts are frequent, often leaving you sitting with your DPRK counterparts in a darkened meeting room.” He continued to elaborate the antiquated reality of the DPRK by saying, “As you drive along the roads you will see an electrical distribution system in disrepair – power distribution poles with archaic porcelain insulators on power pole cross arms that are askew. Power lines are often drooping near the ground or have fallen down completely. Much of the substation equipment pre-dates WWII.”
Despite years of funding and effort, however, in 2005 there were reports indicating that KEDO had agreed in principle to terminate the light-water reactor project. On January 9, 2006, it was announced that the project was over and the workers would be returning to their home countries. On May 31, 2006, The Executive Board of KEDO decided to terminate the LWR project.
North and South Korea Science and Technology Conference
Park Chan Mo, former dean of POSTECH, international director of ISR and current special counsel on science and technology to the President of the Republic of Korea managed to successfully host a North and South Korea Science Technology Conference in 2006, which was covered by Korean media. Park mentioned that the conference was a success in that the conference promoted relationships between North and South Korean scientists and for the first time, scientists from a divided nation finally came together in their homeland. Through this conference, Park stated that governments can cooperate and therefore develop the economy proportionally.Conversational English Program in DPR Korea – Project Seed of Reconciliation(프로젝트 화해의 씨앗)
For the past few years, the ISR implemented an automated computer system to teach conversational English to North Koreans. With fully automated software introduced to DPRK, ISR became the first in history to bring educators from outside to directly interact with North Korean educators and students to educate them person to person. In the summer of 2008, during the 26th ISR visit to DPRK, five Korean American descendants were included in the delegation to teach English. Based on a model from United Kingdom, ISR is planning to improve the quality of education program for both the teachers and the students in DPRK. In order to increase efforts, this program is currently being revised by the Global Research Internship Program to include 50 teachers who are eligible for teaching conversational English.Global Research Internship Program(GRIP)
As a think tank and international relief and development organization headquartered in Washington DC, ISR recruits high school interns every year. These interns later make contributions to international relief and development programs ISR is undertaking in North Korea in close consultation with the U.S. government, United Nations, and international non-governmental organizations. The goal of the ISR Global Internship Program is to help develop a committed, capable emerging leaders and researchers serving reconciliation in conflict regions, public health, innovative education, foreign policy, and international relief and development fit for the Reconciliation Vision 2020.As an integral part of the ISR programs, GRIP interns are offered with opportunities for which they can use and enhance their talents by working closely with international experts in the field. A number of high school internship programs are uniquely online based so overseas interns can still have ample opportunities to assist and contribute to innovative ISR programs of policy research and international relief and development. High school interns who may be locally available in Washington DC are also offered with hands-on program experience of attending policy meetings and assisting with major events organized by ISR.
Interns work on many different fields, all of which are crucial. Interns of 2010 are working on 1) Conducting research on establishing a model computer lab in DPR Korea, 2) Conducting research on implementing a conversational English program, 3) Conducting research on renovating a medical lab for the disabled.
Institute Operations
The following centers and affiliated researchers implement the institute programs:- Center for Advancement of Relief and Development (CARD)
- Center for Public Health Studies
- Center for Foreign Policy Studies
- Center for Economic Studies
- Center for Educational Programs
- Center for Information Technology
- Center for Legal Studies
- Center for Survey Research (Gallup Global, INC)
Education and Training
The Reconciliation Academy is a Periodic educational program which is dedicated to the purpose of training Reconciliation Ambassadors with Medicines – RAMs are people who serve in regions of humanitarian crisis or conflicts.The Reconciliation Essay Contest is an Annual writing contest which motivates students in K-12 to be leaders and partners of reconciliation.
The Professionals without Borders is an Annual conference of professionals studying in the United States who come from countries which are currently divided or reunited
See also
- .kp.kp.kp is the Internet country code top-level domain of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea . It was created on September 24, 2007.-Usage:...
, the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.