KF뉴스레터-Clarifying the Future Direction of Korean Studies in the U.S.

Clarifying the Future Direction of Korean Studies in the U.S.

The Korea Foundation hosted a reception for Korean Studies scholars at the 2008 Association of Asian Studies (AAS) annual meeting held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia (April 3-6, 2008) and discussed various measures to expand Korea-related activities in cooperation with the AAS.

Established in 1941, the Association of Asian Studies has been in operation for the past 67 years. It is comprised of about 7,000 Asian studies scholars in North America, as individual members, along with four regional councils: Northeast Asia, China and Inner Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The Committee on Korean Studies (CKS), under the Northeast Asian Council, actively undertakes programs to promote Korean Studies in North America.

Steady Expansion of Korean Studies
This year’s annual meeting was attended by about 3,000 Asian studies scholars who gathered to discuss a variety of issues, related to regional and research interests. About 800 papers were presented at 221 sessions, which included 15 Korea-related sessions and the presentation of 58 papers on Korea. In comparison, the number of sessions related to Japanese (42) and Chinese (71) studies, and related papers of 140 and 235, respectively, indicates a wider interest in these study areas, versus Korean Studies. In light of the fact that Japan- and China-related themes are being studied through interdisciplinary and interregional research endeavors, more interest and efforts are needed to help Korean Studies establish its proper standing, commensurate to the Korean economy’s scale and the significance of Korean history.
The number of papers presented by scholars who have benefited from the Foundation’s support programs amounted to 27, while that of Korean Studies-related papers overall has shown a steady increase over the past three years. These results are evidence that the pool of Korean Studies scholars has been expanding as well. The presented papers covered a diverse range of fields, of ancient and modern periods, which indicates a gradual broadening of the scope of research on Korea.

Efforts to Enhance the Status of Korea
Since 2002, the Foundation has hosted a KF Reception in order to express its appreciation to Korean Studies scholars and provide an informal setting for their socialization and networking. This year’s reception included the attendance of about 160 Korean Studies scholars, Korean residents from the Atlanta area, and education-related individuals. Of note, the event attracted a number of distinguished figures of Korean Studies in North America, such as Professor Robert Buswell of UCLA, who became the first Korean Studies Scholar to be appointed the AAS president.
At the reception, Professor Buswell pledged to pursue a variety of efforts to upgrade the standing of Korea in regard to the Asian studies sector.
He also announced his plans to boost interest in Korea by inviting a keynote speaker from Korea and implementing various Korea-related programs in conjunction with the 2009 AAS annual meeting, which will be held in Chicago. Related to this, at a meeting with Professor Buswell and other executive officers of the AAS, Korea Foundation President Yim Sung-joon mentioned that the Foundation would favorably consider such a proposal for the provision of support for activities to enhance the status of Korea, at the upcoming annual meeting of the AAS. As part of the AAS annual meeting, about 90 academic presses and commercial publishers exhibited recent publications and research reports. For the second consecutive year, the Korea Literature Translation Institute introduced translated editions of noteworthy works of Korean literature. Other commercial publishers continued to introduce various publications on Korea. Of special note, a publishing company from Japan introduced several North Korean books this year, which attracted considerable attention from the participants.
The AAS annual meeting is one of the largest international gatherings of its kind that attracts scholars even from such regions as Europe and Oceania. This meeting has also become all the more significant for the promotion of Korean Studies and clarifying its future direction. The Korea Foundation’s support for Korean Studies scholars in North America will continue until the day when Korean Studies can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Chinese and Japanese studies.

SEARCH

#Arts #KF #Seminar #KOREA

Clarifying the Future Direction of Korean Studies in the U.S.

SEARCH

전체메뉴