March 26 marks the tenth anniversary of Korea and Mongolia agreeing to exchange diplomatic relations and to commemorate the occasion, the Korea-Mongolia academic society will hold a seminar at Yonsei University on Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18, looking back at the last decade and future prospects in the relations of the two countries. Former Mongolian president who signed the agreement at the time, Punsalmaagiyn Ochirbat came to Korea on Wednesday to participate in the meeting.

Academics from Japan, China, and Korea will make speeches on Mongolia's history; make comparisons of ethnic Mongolians and ethnic Koreans in China, seen from the Chinese policy towards minority ethnic groups and discuss problems in Mongolia. Mongolian Ambassador to Korea, Lodoidamba Galbadrah will speak of future prospects and cooperation between Korea and Mongolia in the new millennium.

Chairman of the Korea-Mongolia society, Professor Choi Ki-ho, said the significance of the seminar lied in the fact that the two countries achieved more accomplishments in just a decade than what Korea has achieved with other countries in a century, and hoped the occasion would help both countries to strengthen their interests and friendship. The Chosun Ilbo is sponsoring the event.

(Lee Han-woo, hwlee@chosun.com )