Former South Korean Prime Minister Dr Han Seung-Soo is set to give the annual Vice-Chancellor’s lecture on Monday at the Bowland Auditorium in the Berrick Saul building.
Dr Han, who was Prime Minister of South Korea from 29th February 2008 to 28th September 2009, and was the President of the 56th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2001 and 2002, will talk about the importance of clean air and water, in a lecture entitled ‘Air and Water: Are They Free Goods?’
An alumnus of the University, Dr Han graduated with a doctorate in economics at York in 1968, after previously undertaking studies at Yonsei University and the Seoul National University.
The lecture will draw upon his involvement in the international community’s initiative to tackle climate change, an according to Dr Han: “Clean air and water are the rapidly diminishing ‘global commons’. Unfortunately, they are rapidly disappearing and scarcer by the day. As a consequence, the very foundations necessary for humankind’s survival are being threatened.”
A University of York spokesperson said: “Dr Han Seung-Soo was one of our earliest international graduates and we are very proud that he has maintained close links with the University throughout his distinguished career. It is a great honour to welcome him to York to deliver the annual Vice-Chancellor’s Lecture.
“The annual lecture was started by the Vice-Chancellor to bring distinguished speakers on a wide range of topics to engage with University staff and students and the wider York community.”
Dr Han, who is also a member of the Club de Madrid, was first elected to the National Assembly in 1988. He became ambassador to the United States from 1993 to 1994, and later Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister from 1996 to 1997. In April 2001 he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, and would later become Prime Minister of South Korea in 2008, a role he occupied for over 18 months.
Previous speakers at the annual event have included Professor Richard Dawkins, Baroness Helena Kennedy and Sir Roger Penrose. Most recently Professor Alan Taub provided an insightful lecture entitled ‘The new automotive DNA: driving to a sustainable future’, on 4th November 2012.
The event has been completely booked out, and no more spaces are available.