Newsletter

The International Association of Korean Historical Studies

Korean history research has made rapid progress despite extreme historical fluctuation. But as a matter of fact, there has been a lack of efforts to exchange with foreign scholar by insisting on the uniqueness of the people and the nation. Especially in the fact of issues beyond nationality, races and regions in the early 20th century, a new trend has been needed for Korean history research, but to no particular avail.

Against this backdrop, the international Association of Korean Historical Studies was born out of the realistic need to deepen comprehensive approach between world history and Korean history while promoting exchanges with foreign scholars with different opinions on history issues and setting up academic network. Instead of viewing the Korean history from a domestic perspective with focus on specialties, the organization is seeking new scope and method for academism beyond the differences of territorial boundaries.

The organization will be led by Professors Park Jung-shin of Sungsil University, Ban Byeong-ryul of Korea University of Foreign Studies, Lim Jong-myeong of Jeonnam National University, Shim Jae-hoon of Dankook University and director Lee Min-won of East Asia History Research Institute. Scholars from various regions and areas are also taking part in. They all agree on the need to expand international exchanges and open the body to include scholars from home and abroad. Foreign scholars include Professors John Dunkun of UCLA, Donald Baker of Canada British Colombia University, Miyajima Hiroshi of Sungkyunkwan University, and Ye Chenhuang (葉泉宏) from a Taiwan university.

Foreign scholar to be in charge of regional research

The organization is differentiated from the existing Korean history-related bodies. Though the domestic organizations, led by local researchers, have so far pursued globalization by naming foreign scholars as ''regional directors,'' the new organization is differentiated in that it appoints the foreign figures as ''regional co-representatives.'' The foreign scholars will play leading roles in the future in deploying Korean history research, exploring and organizing scholars.

The organization will focus on following activities. First, it will converge Korea's unique history into the world's common history trend, while proactively accepting the viewpoints of foreign researchers on Korean history. Second, it will aggressively recruit foreign researchers on Korean history and establish a network of such researchers. The members will briskly exchange academic information through cooperation and sharing of related data and materials.

The organization is also aiming to contribute to globalization of Korean history by collecting academic information on institutes, books and magazines with overseas communications and by pursuing the interpretation and publications of papers and books from home and abroad. It also plans to tighten linkages between domestic and foreign scholars by holding conferences at home and abroad. Third, the organization is seeking to make contribution to the progress of Korean history and human society by expanding the scope of Korean history research beyond the differences of ideology, sex, nationalities, races, subjects and school backgrounds.

As such, The International Association of Korean Historical Studies will exert efforts toward common and reasonable Korean history research based on objectiveness and common sense, while seeking scholastic exchanges and cooperation in line with the current global trend. In this vein, the organization's purpose is in line with the direction pursued by the Northeast Asian History Foundation (NAHF). We expect support and cooperation from the NAHF for the growth of the International Association of Korean Historical Studies.