Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda Awarded Honorary Doctorate in Political Science at Kyungnam University

"We Will Make More Efforts to Improve Bilateral Relations"

On the 30th, Gyeongnam National University awarded an honorary Doctorate in Political Science to Yasuo Fukuda, former Prime Minister of Japan, at the Far Eastern Affairs Research Institute in Samcheong-dong, Seoul.

Jae-gyu Park, President of Gyeongnam National University (right), awarded an honorary Doctorate in Political Science to Yasuo Fukuda, former 91st Prime Minister of Japan.

Former Prime Minister Fukuda entered politics in 1990 as a member of the Japanese Diet, serving as Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chief Cabinet Secretary before being appointed as the 91st Prime Minister in September 2007. During his tenure, he carried on the spirit of the "Fukuda Doctrine" established by his father, Takeo Fukuda, former Prime Minister, contributing to the restoration of East Asian diplomacy and significantly advancing the establishment of a future-oriented trust and friendly cooperation between Korea and Japan.

In particular, he established a mutually beneficial relationship with China based on shared strategic interests, and devoted efforts to resolving the abduction issue of Japanese citizens and the North Korean nuclear problem through dialogue with North Korea. He took the lead in creating an institutional foundation for establishing a peace order in East Asia and peace on the Korean Peninsula based on the development of relations with neighboring countries.

Even after retiring from public office in 2008, former Prime Minister Fukuda devoted himself to the common prosperity of the East Asian region by serving as Chairman of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) from 2005 to 2012 and Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) from 2010 to 2018.

He also showed great interest and support for Gyeongnam National University's international academic research activities and attended academic and research meetings held in Japan hosted by the Gyeongnam National University Far Eastern Affairs Research Institute, offering advice and encouragement without hesitation.

In recognition of his dedicated service to peace and prosperity in East Asia and his significant contributions to peace on the Korean Peninsula and the improvement of Korea-Japan relations, Gyeongnam National University awarded former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda an honorary Doctorate in Political Science on the 26th.

In his acceptance speech, former Prime Minister Fukuda expressed his gratitude, saying, "Receiving an honorary doctorate from Gyeongnam National University, which boasts a proud history and tradition, is a meaningful and unforgettable experience in my lifetime."

He added, "I will deeply contemplate Korea-Japan relations for the rest of my life and continue to work even harder to improve relations between the two countries."

Currently, former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda serves as Chairman of the InAsia Population and Development Association, Chairman of the Japan-Indonesia Association, and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA).

The awarding ceremony held at the Gyeongnam National University Far Eastern Affairs Research Institute was attended by many members of the Korea-Japan Cooperation Committee, including Park Jae-kyu, President of Gyeongnam National University (former Minister of Unification), Kim Sun-hyang, Chairperson of the Board at the University of North Korean Studies, Kang In-duk, Chair Professor at Gyeongnam National University (former Minister of Unification), Kang Chang-hee, Chair Professor at the University of North Korean Studies (former Speaker of the National Assembly), Lee Soo-hoon, Chair Professor at Gyeongnam National University (former Ambassador to Japan), Ahn Ho-young, Chair Professor at Gyeongnam National University (former Ambassador to the United States), Yang Moo-jin, President of the University of North Korean Studies, and Kim Ki-byeong, Chairperson of the Korea-Japan Cooperation Committee, along with professors from the University of North Korean Studies and the Gyeongnam National University Far Eastern Affairs Research Institute.