The Reischauer Center in cooperation with the US-Japan Research Institute will host Dr. Lee Aeliah for a seminar on the role of North Korean migrant workers in Russia.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/peacebuilding-in-northeast-asia-north-kore…
Peacebuilding in the region of Northeast Asia is of great concern for Japan and the United States. It is desirable for both countries to work together to achieve sustainable development in the region. Understanding economic activities in Russia in relation to North Korea is helpful in finding effective approaches for materializing peace in the region. This study is an effort to understand the economic relations in the region of North East Asia.
In Russia, migrant workers from abroad have been instrumental for economic activities. Without workers, major construction projects have never been successfully completed. Migrant workers, including ones from North Korea, played a significant role in the construction of stadiums and other facilities for FIFA 2018.
The labor shortage is a serious bottleneck for economic development in the Maritime Province of Russia. Dr. Aeliah’s policy seminar is based on a study conducted in the Maritime Province of Russia and presents an opportunity for us to understand the conditions of foreign workers in Russia's labor market. Her seminar will begin with an explanation of the historical changes in relations between North Korea and the Maritime Province of Russia. A discussion on the living and working conditions of migrant, particularly North Korean, workers will follow. Afterwards, Dr. Aeliah will give insight into North Koreans' role in the economic development of the Maritime Province of Russia. She will also elaborate on current human rights issues occurring in the region. Finally, she will discuss the implications of her findings for Japan and the United States.