CPU Newsletter

October 24, 2004

CPU EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Upcoming Events:

a) Debate Between CU Students Representing the Presidential
Candidates (10/28)

b) Reporting from the Front Lines: A Lecture and Open Discussion
with New York Times Writer and Author Alex Berenson (new date TBA)

2. CPU's Presidential and Local Election Guide (in Lerner mailboxes
and online now, around campus by Tuesday)

3. Columbia Political Review October Issue Release (around campus
starting Monday afternoon)

4. Submit to the CPU's First Politically-Themed Art Exhibit -
Transitions: The Constancy of Change (by 11/10)

5. CPU's Political Primer on the Democratic People’s Republic of
Korea (below and online)

OTHER EVENTS:

6. Columbia Economic Discussion Series – "An Interlude to the
Political Economic Rhetoric" (10/25)

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CPU EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Upcoming Events:

a) Debate Between CU Students Representing the Presidential
Candidates with Faculty Moderator

10/28 at 6:00 pm
Room E569, Alfred Lerner Hall

b) Reporting from the Front Lines: A Lecture and Open Discussion
with New York Times Writer and Author Alex Berenson

Rescheduled date To Be Announced

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2. CPU's Presidential and Local Election Guide

Still one of those "undecided voters?" Don't know what's going on
with local elections?

Check out CPU's Election Guide! The 16-page booklet contains
information on Presidential and local candidates. You can
currently find the guide in all Lerner Hall mailboxes, online at
www.columbiapoliticalunion.org and (starting Tuesday) all over the
Columbia and Barnard campuses.

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3. Columbia Political Review October Issue Release

The Columbia Political Review is excited to release its most timely
and important issue ever. Read our Election Special for a look at
races and issues that you need to know about before casting your
ballot. We have articles on topics ranging from holding the Bush
Administration accountable and steamy corruption in New Jersey to
the secret life of a Columbia Republican and America's conflict
with the UN. Plus: America braces for a cocaine infusion, India
and China duke it out for Asian dominance, and more. Find the CPR
around campus beginning Monday (10/25) afternoon.

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4. Call for Submissions to Transitions: The Constancy of Change

What: An exhibition of political art
When: Submission deadline is November 10; the exhibition will be
sometime in November.
Who: Everyone is encouraged to submit their work. Photography,
sculpture, painting, short films, and all other visual media are
eligible. Students should contact Katharine Harlow, CPU Treasurer,
at kjh2003@columbia.edu for more information.

This exhibit takes two basic premises as its foundations: transition
as a perpetual theme of history and politics, and the crucial role
of the arts in the portrayal and criticism thereof.

2004 presents an extraordinary opportunity for the exploration of
this linkage. Change is all around us: a presidential election at
home, the fight for sustainable democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan,
the acceleration and deepening of globalization, and the lingering
effects of September 11th.

As the world grows more complex, the importance of informed
involvement grows. This exhibit aims to spur all of us to
reflection, analysis, and debate. How does our past inform our
future? How are our cultures, societies, institutions, and
governments evolving? Where are we going? Are we going too fast?
Too slow?

This exhibit presents an opportunity for political scientists and
artists alike to confront, criticize, and explore new perspectives
and attitudes. Its interdisciplinary approach promises to renew
and strengthen the dialogue between all Columbia students.

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5. Political Primer on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

The CPU, as always, seeks to keep its membership on top of the major
issues in the world. With the upcoming election, and in
light of United States' recent partial pullout of its troops from
South Korea, North Korea has reemerged as a topic of discussion.
Below (and online at www.columbiapoliticalunion.org) is a brief
overview of North Korea's past and present.

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
History
Since it was initially settled around 6000 B.C., Korea has been
under continuous influence from Japan and China. In 1894, a
rapidly developing Japan tested its political and military strength
by attempting to conquer China-held Korea. After a year of
fighting, Japan was victorious; however, Russia later entered the
situation, and its appearance resulted in the Russo-Japanese War
(1904-1905). Finally, in 1910, Korea was annexed to Japan. The
Japanese held control until the end of WWII, when Korea became two
independent countries, divided at the 38th parallel. Although this
division between Soviet-controlled North and American-controlled
South was intended to be temporary, a reunification never occurred.
In 1948, the year the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)
was established, the communist leader Kim Il-Sung was elected Head
of State, later taking the title of President. Before the Korean
War exploded in 1950, Kim had moved North Korea into a Soviet-style
communist government. In June of 1950, North Korea invaded South
Korea in an attempt to unite the divided region under a communist
government. However, by the end of the war in 1953, the boundary
between North and South remained at the 38th parallel. Over the
next four decades, North Korea’s economy failed miserably compared
to the growing economy of South Korea. With a failing economy,
North Korea was forced to default on its loans in 1980.

Current Domestic Situation
Following the death of Kim Il-Sung in 1994, his son Kim Jong-Il
became Chairman of the National Defense Commission and
General-Secretary of the Korean Workers’ Party, but the official
title of “President” was evidently retired after Kim Il-Sung died.
Nonetheless, the Chairman of the National Defense Commission is the
“highest administrative authority.” Although he praised the
economic reforms made by China, Kim Jong-Il has made little
progress to repair the economy, and he has retained the idea of
“Juche,” or self-reliance. Furthermore, the overwhelming majority
of the country had slipped into famine by 2000, although the extent
of poverty in the nation is unknown as North Korea’s government
refuses to release any internal data. Kim Jong-Il is also regarded
as one of the most eccentric heads of state; he is rumored to own a
20,000 film collection and to throw extravagant drunken parties
that his advisors are required to attend.

Recently, speculation has developed concerning Kim’s heir.
Although his oldest son, Kim Jong-Nam, is the probable heir, a
recent public relations disaster in Japan involving a false
passport may have lost him the opportunity to rule the DPRK; now,
the position could go to one of his other sons, Kim Jong-Chul and
Kim Jong-Woong. Another close confidant, Kim Jong-Il’s brother
in-law Chang Sung Taek, also plays a large role in determining
North Korea’s actions; however, it is highly unlikely that Kim will
hand over the ruling line to Chang’s descendants.

Foreign Relations
Throughout the administration of Kim Jong-Il, nuclear proliferation
and the production of weapons-grade plutonium have remained pressing
issues. Although the DPRK joined the United Nations in September of
1991, the country has yet to establish an overwhelmingly cooperative
relationship with other body members. In 1993, North Korea declared
its decision to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty,
which states that only the permanent members of the U.N. Security
Council may possess nuclear weapons. (The DPRK did not actually
withdraw until 2003.) However, the DPRK entered into the Agreed
Framework with U.S. one year later, in 1994, and on the conditions
of this pact, agreed it would dismantle its weapons programs in
order to receive economic support from the United States, South
Korea, and Japan. North Korea completely disregarded the terms,
however. Ten years later, President Bush has moved away from the
bilateral talks pursued by Former President Clinton and has
involved China, Russia, Japan, and South Korea. These dialogues
serve as the chief mediation between the reclusive DPRK and the
world. However, the DPRK has, evidently, continued its weapons
program, and has refused to cooperate with any countries.
Following failed talks in June 2004, North Korea threatened to test
a nuclear weapon. Since that time, dialogue with North Korea has
stopped, and growing intelligence suggests that the DPRK now has
multiple nuclear weapons.

The above primer was written by CPU Deputy Publisher Jonathan Mason

Sources:

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/kn.html

http://www.nationmaster.com

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200306/200306200031.html

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107686.html

http://www.korea-dpr.com

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OTHER EVENTS

6. Columbia Economic Discussion Series – "An Interlude to the
Political Economic Rhetoric"

10/25 at 6:10 pm
Altschul Auditorium (room 417), International Affairs Building

The Columbia University student body and the Morningside Heights
community have the opportunity to hear renowned economists Ronald
Findlay and Frank Lichtenberg discuss the proposed economic
policies of the presidential candidates and their implications.

Sponsored by the Economics Society, Economics Department, College
Republicans, College Democrats, and Sigma Phi Epsilon

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