As President Bush talked about Iraq's nuclear weapons, Ball State students and staff held a live video conference with a professor from South Korea about the nuclear crisis with North Korea.
The lecture, focusing on the Korean nuclear situation, was given by Hahn-kyu Park, a professor in the school of international relations at Kyng Hee University in Seoul, South Korea. The lecture began at 9 p.m. Tuesday evening, Indiana time, which was 11 a.m. Wednesday in South Korea.
Park gave an overview of the nature of the Korean nuclear issue, possible solutions and what it means for the international community.
Park also gave his idea for a solution on the North Korean nuclear situation.
"In my opinion, direct talks between the United States and North Korea is the most viable process," Park said.
After Park's presentation, he entertained audience concerns about anti-American sentiment and the capabilities of South Korea. He said it was important to distinguish between anti-Americanism and anti-American sentiment.
"Anti-Americanism is the opposition of everything American including culture and political and economic system," Park said.
Park said the South Korean government is trying to prevent anti-American sentiment from becoming anti-Americanism.
Park said South Korea will not develop nuclear weapons even if they have the technology and the finances.
"The decision to make nuclear weapons is not a technical or economic decision," Park said. "It is a political decision."
Though the conference lasted a little over an hour, communication across the world will continue with the technology.
Scott Olson, dean of the College of Communication, Information and Media, said around five classrooms on campus are equipped to execute live video conference. Some professors are already using the cameras.
Rai Peterson, professor of English, said she has used the connection with Teckyoung Kwon, dean of the School of English at Kyung Hee University.
Peterson and Kwon's classes have discussed both Korean and English poetry.
"The students were eager to talk in English and share a cultural difference," Kwon said.
Vernon Draper, network coordinator for Ball State, said testing for the equipment began years ago. The network is designed to provide communication in response to a growing need for cross-cultural education.
"Other cultures have opinions and our knowledge gets broadened, and we didn't even have to go anywhere," Draper said. "Because of this, Ball State employees are involved in other countries."
S. Jae Park, director of the Far East Asia Program at Ball State, said he was surprised that the presentation was in real time.
As each audience member asked a question, Hahn-kyu Park was able to hear the question without delay.
Park said he hopes students will benefit from this technology in the future.
"The technology is here for us to use," he said. "Hopefully we can be able to speed up information for all students and faculty."
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