Contact: Phil Hearn
John Merrill, chief of the Northeast Asia Division of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research for the U.S. Department of State, will be at Mississippi State University and in Jackson next week to discuss the nuclear threat posed by North Korea.
Last December, the Eastern Asian country--slightly smaller than Mississippi--renounced a 1994 agreement shutting down its nuclear reactors and expelled United Nations monitors. Both actions have raised international concern about North Korea's weapons capability, including nuclear, chemical and biological threats.
Merrill will speak Wednesday [Dec. 3] at MSU before traveling to Jackson the following day [the 4th]. His visit is sponsored by the Janos Radvanyi Chair in International Studies at MSU.
In addition to his federal service, Merrill has held numerous teaching and research positions and is the author of several books, including, "Korea: The Peninsular Origins of the War, 1945-1950." He holds a master's degree in East Asian Studies from Harvard University and a doctorate in political science from the University of Delaware.
While at MSU, he will meet with a variety of campus and area officials after addressing a student-faculty group. Titled "The North Korean Nuclear Issue," his 10 a.m. lecture in the Colvard Union small auditorium will be followed by an 11-11:30 a.m. media availability time in the same location.
The following day in Jackson, Merrill will repeat his lecture during a noon appearance at the Radvanyi Chair-sponsored Executive Lecture Forum. The program at the University Club, 210 East Capitol St., begins at 11:45 a.m. and concludes at 2:15 p.m.
While Merrill's Mississippi presentations are not open to the general public, reporters and other media representatives are welcome to attend either or both events. For additional information, contact Radvanyi at (662) 325-8326.