The focus of the 21 st century is the unification of Korea and the development of the European Union. The relation between the Far East and the Europe is being narrowed by the collaboration of Eurasia. Europe's promotion of its peace through political democracy and open market strategy will certainly contribute to the further development and advancement of the Far East, including the Korean peninsula. Moreover, in pursuit of globalization, consolidation of Asian and European cooperation may be the only alternative to fight against the global dominance by the United States (or growth of the Americanization).
Herein, ASEM was inaugurated in 1996, proposing the creation of a new partnership between Asia and Europe, strengthening the relationship between the two regions by means of an enhanced political dialogue, reinforced economic cooperation, as well as cooperation in social, cultural and intellectual areas. The summit-level meetings have been held biennially by the leaders of the states, alternating its location in both continents. The 2000 Seoul ASEM Meeting made the education leaders of our country to realize the urgency of the theorization and development needed in the international politics and socio-economical sectors. In January 2002, ‘Seoul ASEM Institute for International Relations' was established by the fellow scholars who have been educated in Europe. Also, it was registered as an affiliated corporation of Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE) in May of the same year. There are currently 300 members, and it holds monthly workshops, and sponsors International Scholar Symposiums, at least twice a year.
