FORMER PRESIDENT(2014-2018) of SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Honorable Delegates, Distinguished Scholars, Ladies and Gentlemen，

I would like to begin by expressing my heartfelt appreciation

to Professor Mo Jihong, Director of Institute of International Law, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences for graciously hosting the CASS Forum

and to his able colleagues for their hospitality, timeless efforts, outstanding dedication in organizing this year’s Forum.

I believe the theme of this year’s Forum on “Community of Shared Future for Mankind and International Rule of Law”

is timely and a crucial issue.

Since the International Rule of Law has been emerged as an important issue not only in Asia but also in the world,

I hope that will be able to share the ideas on what the scholars can afford to the International Rule of Law issue and to find a successful outcome for cooperation the scholars through this wonderful Forum.

This year’s Forum will make us deeply ruminate on International Rule of Law as well as set a perspective path for future developments.

As globalization pervasively influences the roles of legal scholars are now challenged to reinvent themselves to being socially and globally responsible and to carry agendas that do not merely concern the individual scholars interest, but contextualize its direction with global issues for collective benefits.

Regional instruments to further advance human rights have been contemplated in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Unfortunately, Asia has not adopted a regional human rights convention.

I am confident that Asian values can be consolidated with the ratification of an Asian Human Rights Convention.

Such conventions can contribute to resolving long lasting conflicts that have plagued the Asian region, and forming an Asian community based on human rights and peace.

I hope the programs of this year’s Forum will be nurturing for us all.

Thank you very much.

30 October 2019 in CASS, Beijing