Taiwan to host Korean studies congress

Some 400 scholars specializing in Korean studies will gather at the World Congress of Korean Studies to be held in Taipei, Taiwan, from Oct. 25 to 28.

The Academy of Korean Studies said that the congress, the largest of its kind, is expected to raise awareness about Korean studies abroad, particularly in China and Taiwan. 

Under the theme of “Korean Studies for the Advancement of Global Civilization,” some 180 academic theses from 25 countries will be presented.

“I was surprised to learn that the Chinese Culture University in Taipei, Taiwan, is eager to teach Korean studies. The university has some 10 full-time professors in the Korean studies department alone. The number of professors is a lot for one department, especially for Korean studies, something unusual in other parts of the world,” Kim Jung-bae, president of the academy, said.

Fourteen sessions will deal with Korean history, art, language, politics and society during the event, while panels from various countries will freely discuss issues such as “The Relations Between Korea and China and Korea and Taiwan” and “Korean Language Education in China and Taiwan.”

“There are more achievements in Korean studies abroad than we think. For example, a professor at the Chinese Culture University has developed an innovative learning method for the Korean language that helps not only foreigners but also Korean children who begin to learn the Korean language. We should admire their contribution to the development of Korean studies. So our institution will further strengthen academic ties with them,” said Kim.

The university has offered to cooperate in developing the Korean language, and translations of Korean works including dramas and literature, the president said. 

Brian Yecies from the University of Wollongong, Australia; Elisabeth Chabanol from the French School of Asian Studies; and Pavel Leshakov from Moscow State University will take part in the event.


source:Korea Times