Dr. Won Woo-hyun, Visiting Professor, Communications Dept, UCSD, will present his paper, 

"Immunotherapy Effect of Crises in Korean Peninsula: Samsung, LG, CJO Case Studies."

This will be the first of this year's series of Korea Colloquium, and it will be held in (IR/PS Dean's Conference Room)12:30-1:30pm, Monday, January 31.

Lunch will be provided, if you RSVP by Tuesday, January 25. (woohyunwon@hanmail.net)

Summary of the talk

In 2010, tension in the Korean Peninsula peaked due to North Korea’s sinking of the South Korean naval vessel Cheonan and the recent artillery attack on Yeonpyeong Island. Skirmishes between the two sides have not been uncommon since the Korean War, and North Korea’s potent strategy of provocation against South Korea has urged South Korea to resort to effective crisis management. Over a half decade of tension and series of attacks from North Korea have in effect strengthened South Korea’s “immune system” in fighting back and developing into a stronger and mature nation.

This immunotherapy effect can be witnessed in many crisis management cases in South Korea, such as the Samsung Electronics power cut crisis in 2007 which representatively shows how Korean firms have developed into stronger brands. In 2007 Samsung Electronics underwent a power cut at its chip factory. Under the basic principle of ‘trust and transparency’ it handled the crisis utilizing speedy and professional PR strategies. Beyond managing crises, the country has emphasized the significance of firms sharing social responsibilities in hand with communities; LG Science Hall case and CJO PR strategies will be further discussed.

Ever since its foundation, LG has operated the LG Science Hall free of charge to provide the experience of advanced technology for many young students. So far, it has invested approximately 140 Billion won, and has created a top level science hall in Korea. Every year LG devotes 6-8 Billion won to both science halls in Seoul and Busan, and provides high quality science education opportunities through display item development and renewals. As for CJ, since its establishment in 2006, the <1 Chon 1 Myungpum Project> (“One village with one unique product” Project) has discovered high-quality agriculture, fishery, and livestock products of every region in Korea and has passed on its distribution/marketing know-how. Through professional assistance, it has strived to bring about community development and win-win benefits among urban and rural areas.

Professor Won is Chairman of Churlwoo One-Light Academy and served as President of Korean Social Science Council, President of Korean Society for Media Law, Ethics and Policy, Dean, Graduate School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Korea , President of Korean Public Relations Association, and President of Korean Society for Journalism and Mass Communication. He has published Public Relations Strategy Korean Case Studies (2010), Strategies in PRs: Korean Cases and Solutions, The Mass Media Climate in Korea (2007), Internet Communications (2002, co-authored), Public Opinion and Public Relations (1997, co-authored). He has B.L. from College of Law, Seoul National University and MS and Ph.D. in Communication from Boston University