KOREA FOUNDATION

From Erciyes University in Türkiye

Ahmet Kopar
Doctoral Student
Department of Korean Language and Literature
Erciyes University

From March 2022, I participated in the KF’s Fellowship for Field Research for a year. I also learned a lot about Korean language and culture while attending the Korean language course at Sogang University in Seoul. During the year-long sojourn in Korea, I was able to have abundant, new experiences and create meangiful memories.

I am currently completing a doctoral course in the Department of Korean Language and Literature at Erciyes University in Kayseri, Türkiye. The theme of my thesis is “The Relationship Between Goguryeo and Göktürks.“

People assume that the friendly relations between Türkiye and Korea began with the former’s participation in the Korean War, but the bilateral relationship dates back to hundreds of years ago. According to Samguk sagi, or the Historical Records of the Three Kingdoms (Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla), the two countries began to make contact from the sixth century. Back then, the Göktürks, the country of Turks, and Goguryeo bordered each other and engaged in cultural and linguistic exchanges. So, I decided to write my thesis on the sixth-century relationship between Goguryeo and Göktürks on the basis of various historical materials.

As it turned out, dealing specifically with the ties between these two ancient nations proved difficult—and evidence directly testifying to their bilateral relationship was extremely scarce. To my regret, I could not easily find historical records or research papers on Goguryeo in Türkiye.

While in Korea as a KF fellow, I was not only able to attend Korean language training, but also gained access to diverse materials. I found various historical records and research papers necessary for my thesis at the National Assembly Library, including Jachi tonggam, the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government; Hu Han seo, the Book of the Later Han; and Su seo, the Book of Sui.

Life in a foreign country has its advantages and disadvantages, and one is often faced with economic hardship and loneliness. Thankfully, I was able to overcome economic difficulties thanks to the KF’s scholarship. Additionally, the relationships I built with fellows from other countries during on-site studies and travels felt almost family-like. As the COVID-19 pandemic forced many Korean students to attend classes online, I mostly met other international students on campus. Having all come from different cultures, we had different ways of thinking, yet could all communicate through the common language of Korean. Whenever I had days off, I spent time with these new foreign friends. To learn more about Korean culture, we toured a hanok village, full of traditional houses and open markets, and conversed with some of the Korean citizens we encountered.

My dream is to become a Korean language instructor at Erciyes University. Although Türkiye and Korea have maintained a relationship for hundreds of years, few people are aware it. I will make a considerable effort to increase awareness of this historical fact, and to teach Korean language and history effectively. Once again, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the KF for giving me the wonderful opportunity to participate in the research fellowship in Korea.

Ahmet KoparTürkiyeErciyes UniversityThe Relationship Between Goguryeo and Göktürks