Foreign Scholars Invited to Globalize Korean Studies Options

[Dokkaebi]

By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter

British scholar Joseph Needham's (1900-1995) series of books "The Science and Civilisation in China (1954)," dramatically changed the perception of China from an underdeveloped country to a treasure house of the human civilization.

Western sinologist Needham researched its culture, science and technology throughout the nation's long history, supported by the Chinese government.

Seeking a similar accomplishment, the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) will set up 50 centers in 27 countries over the next 10 years and expand grants for world-renowned scholars in their research.

The new long-term project called "Laboratory for the Globalization of Korean Studies," which refers to basic research units that will enable top-notch scholars to conduct studies, in which a director and a small number of researchers collaborate.

It is part of the institute's efforts to uplift Korean Studies to the level of Chinese and Japanese studies.

"The 'lab' team will consist of specialists who will conduct long-term research about Korea in diverse fields. It will induce world-wide participation of top-class scholars in Korean Studies," Lee Seo-hyeng, vice president of AKS, said in an interview with The Korea Times.

He said that thanks to the growing interest in Korea, mainly because of "hallyu," or the Korean Wave, studying the country is becoming popular with academics abroad.

"It's true that Korean Studies remains less recognized than those of China and Japan. But recently, it is gaining attention from the world as an emerging discipline because Korea's economic and cultural power is increasing. It's new and so it's attracting more interest from people outside the country," he said.

The project is expected to not only yield academic achievements but also arouse wider interest in Korea on a long-term basis.

"The lab project will begin this year with 3 billion won investment and it will receive support from the academy for the next 10 years. It will see a growing number of grants each year because the current administration wants to use Korean Studies as a national brand," the vice president said.

AKS has already provided grants of some $100,000 annually per university to 17 institutes around the world since 2006 to better promote the image of Korea. But the project is a more intensive and in-depth development of overseas Korean Studies, aimed at creating a pool of specialists on the country.

Lee said that the academy is also stepping up its efforts to encourage such studies in Latin America, the Middle East, India and Russia. "Although the popularity of Korean Studies is high in Asian countries, the academy is seeking to gradually extend it to other nations," he said.

Domestically, AKS is also providing education to both locals and foreign students. The Graduate School of Korean Studies, its subsidiary school, has produced some 1,000 graduates so far.

"Every year, more foreign students are coming to the institution and after they graduate, they are all messengers for Korea when they return to their homes," said Lee.

The numbers have increased from 77 in 2006 to 80 in 2008, and 91 - from 21 countries - of the total 200 students in 2010.

The institution offers a selective and interdisciplinary education in Korean Studies in four divisions and 14 majors.

International students receive free tuition and those who are awarded a government scholarship receive a monthly stipend.

"The generous scholarship for foreign students is designed to raise the awareness of Korea around the world. We welcome the smartest students," he said.

Not only the quantity but also the quality of applicants is getting better. The thesis topics are diverse with academically high value. Among the graduates, Debby Tung, from Taiwan and translator of Korean dramas such as "Jewel in the Palace," is a good example of cultural exchange with other countries. She is connecting the two countries through her translations.

Due to her help, the fifth World Congress for Korean Studies organized by the academy will take place from Oct. 25 to 28 in Taipei, Taiwan at the Chinese Culture University where she studied.

As one of the most prominent conferences in the world, it will provide scholars with an opportunity to share their latest academic achievements and develop friendships under the theme "Korean Studies for the Advancement of Global Civilization."

"It is the largest event for Korean Studies. Hundreds of academics exchange their ideas and opinions and address new directions," said Lee.

The academy will also reopen the Jangseogak Library, Joseon's archive home to the royal documents next year to help extend research on, and the collection of old manuscripts.

It encompasses over 100,000 classical texts, formerly held in the royal archives, along with tens of thousands of pieces from private collections. Some of the materials in the archives, such as the "Uigwe" (Joseon Kingdom Royal Protocols) and "Dongui-bogam" (The Great Compendium of Eastern Medicine) have earned worldwide recognition with their recent inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The library will be turned into a cultural center for the royal archive, and will also act as a research hub.

"The library will focus on collecting old documents scattered around the nation and preserving them," Lee said.

The academy was founded by the government on June 30, 1978 for the purpose of performing in-depth research into Korean culture. To achieve this aim, the institute has devoted itself to identifying and interpreting traditional Korean culture, defining the academic identity of Korean Studies, and cultivating scholars with a global perspective who will be indispensible in the 21st century.

chungay@koreatimes.co.kr

[Wolfpack]

Korean studies will simply never reach the same level as Chinese studies in the West. Western academic interest towards China has been going on for centuries. It did not start with Needham's work into the Chinese sciences. Leading European thinkers like Leibniz have been commenting on Chinese development long before the works of Needham and more often than not, in very glorifying terms.

[Dokkaebi]

Korean studies will simply never reach the same level as Chinese studies in the West. Western academic interest towards China has been going on for centuries. It did not start with Needham's work into the Chinese sciences. Leading European thinkers like Leibniz have been commenting on Chinese development long before the works of Needham and more often than not, in very glorifying terms.

Korean studies or Koreanology resurged in the 1900s. It is gradually getting popular among many studies right now.

[Ungnyeo]

Korean studies is important in dealing with East Asia as a whole. Without Korea, a lot of history will be missing and also Japan.

This post has been edited by Ungnyeo: Sep 30 2010, 03:11 PM

[ReindeerGirl]

This is good news! I hope they can find and translate many treasures that have been unexplored.