KF뉴스레터-Interview with Wang Dan, Head of the Department of Korean Language and Culture at Peking University

Interview with Wang Dan, Head of the Department of Korean
Language and Culture at Peking University

In this month’s edition, the KF Beijing office spoke with Wang Dan, head of the Department of Korean Language and Culture at Peking University, who has bridged Korea and China through courses in Korean Studies and Korean language. Her department celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, and is one of China’s leading institutes for Korean Studies.

As the first university in China to offer Korean Studies courses, Peking University celebrated the 70th anniversary of its Department of Korean Language and Culture last year. Would you please introduce this department and its activities?

Our department traces its roots back to the department of Korean language instruction of Nanjing National College of Oriental Languages, which was established in 1945 in Chongqing. Back then, Korean lessons were taught by the late Kim Jun-yop, who was the President of Korea University. In 1949, the department was converted into the Department of East Asian Languages at Peking University, and then became the Department of Korean Language and Culture in early 2009. We currently have a faculty of eight professors who instruct over 100 students. Founded under a goal of nurturing an elite level of scholars in Korean Studies research, over the past 70 years we have established 26 undergraduate and 28 graduate courses, and continue to produce some of the finest talents in this field.

I understand that graduates of the Korean department at Peking University have done much to facilitate Korea-China relations.

We’ve produced over 700 graduates who have gone on to serve prominent roles in the political, economic, social, cultural, and educational sectors, thereby contributing to the development of China as well as Korea-China relations. Our graduates include Zhang Tingyan, the first Chinese ambassador to Korea, and his wife, as well as renowned professors of Korean language at universities throughout China. Four of our faculty members have been lauded for their research on Korean-language education, recognized as “meritorious contributors to the development of Hangeul” by the Korean government, along with being awarded the Prime Minister’s Commendation and the Presidential Commendation.

The Korean department at Peking University has invested so much in Korea-related research and publications, for which the KF is most grateful.

Our faculty invests its heart and soul into both Korean language education and Korean Studies research. We’ve published over 100 books, translations, and dictionaries, including A History of the Korean Language, Practical Korean Grammar, and The New Century Korean-Chinese Dictionary, in addition to 40 textbooks including Korean Language, Editing Translations, and University Korean Grammar, thus contributing significantly to the advancement of Korean language education and research in China.

Are you involved with any collaborative efforts with the KF?

The KF is both a reliable companion and valued sponsor of Peking University and its research and educational efforts regarding Korea. We are currently collaborating with the Foundation in several areas, including scholarships, research fellowships in Korea for Chinese faculty, dispatch of Korean professors to China, support for materials and resources, and e-school lectures. Were it not for the KF’s support, our department would not have been able to witness the steady development we have seen in recent years.

What notable projects are you working on now?

Through publications of texts such as Advanced Korean, content development for various Korean Studies themes, and the translation of leading texts and research into Chinese, we will make continued efforts to advance Korean language education and Korean Studies in China.
Throughout the last 70 years, there have been difficult times, but today we have established ourselves as the reigning Chinese institute for Korea-related research and education. I sincerely thank the KF and Korea’s other institutes, scholars, and experts who have supported and encouraged us along the way. Thank you.

KF Beijing Office

The class of 1948 (left), the institute’s first graduating class, and the class of 2015 (right)

KOREA FOUNDATION

Interview with Wang Dan, Head of the Department of Korean Language and Culture at Peking University

Interview with Wang Dan, Head of the Department of Korean
Language and Culture at Peking University

As the first university in China to offer Korean Studies courses, Peking University celebrated the 70th anniversary of its Department of Korean Language and Culture last year. Would you please introduce this department and its activities?

I understand that graduates of the Korean department at Peking University have done much to facilitate Korea-China relations.

The Korean department at Peking University has invested so much in Korea-related research and publications, for which the KF is most grateful.

Are you involved with any collaborative efforts with the KF?

What notable projects are you working on now?

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Interview with Wang Dan, Head of the Department of Korean Language and Culture at Peking University

Interview with Wang Dan, Head of the Department of Korean Language and Culture at Peking University

As the first university in China to offer Korean Studies courses, Peking University celebrated the 70th anniversary of its Department of Korean Language and Culture last year. Would you please introduce this department and its activities?

I understand that graduates of the Korean department at Peking University have done much to facilitate Korea-China relations.

The Korean department at Peking University has invested so much in Korea-related research and publications, for which the KF is most grateful.

Are you involved with any collaborative efforts with the KF?

What notable projects are you working on now?

SEARCH

전체메뉴

Interview with Wang Dan, Head of the Department of Korean
Language and Culture at Peking University