CEFIA News

The Academy of Korean Studies held the "11th World Congress of Korean Studies " under the theme of "Korean Culture Shared with the World" at the Academy for two days from October 20 to 21, 2022.

In the lectures held in the morning of October 20, AKS Chairman Yoo Hong-jun and Professor Andrew David Jackson of Monash University of Australia emphasized the importance and direction of Korean studies. Participating in the following discussions were Professor Yeon Jae-hoon of Yonsei University, Professor Roald Maliangkay of Australian National University and Professor Maya Stiller of the University of Kansas of the U.S.

More than 130 Korean studies researchers from 21 countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Denmark, presented and discussed a total of 108 papers on Korean studies, including language, literature, culture and history. About 300 researchers and officials participated in the Congress online and offline in which they made in-depth discussions in diverse fields of Korean studies.

AKS President Ahn Byung-woo also presented citations to recipients of the Korean Studies Paper Awards for Future-generation Scholars -- Lee Min-ki and Cho Hyun-woong, both a Ph.D. candidate at the Graduate School of the Academy of Korean Studies; Jenna Gibson, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Chicago; Felicia Istad, a Ph. D. candidate at Korea University; and Chung Taek-sung, a Ph.D. student at Seoul National University. Ahn encouraged them to become leading Korean studies researchers.

The Center for International Affairs of the Academy of Korean Studies held the " Textbook Seminar for Educators of Ecuador " for seven days from October 16 to 22. The seminar drew officials from major Ecuadorian textbook publishers -- Don Bosco, Edinun and Santillana.

In 2021, a seminar and Korea-related lectures were held for four days on the online platform ZOOM due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the Center was able to invite those who had participated in last year's online seminar since pandemic regulations were eased.

Participants in the seminar had time to discuss issues such as Ecuadorian textbook publishers' interest in Korea, Korea-related contents in the current Ecuadorian textbooks, and more information about Korea that can be included in Ecuadorian textbooks. Participants agreed in particular that the inclusion of Korean-related content in Don Bosco's textbook and the content related to "Jikji" in Santillana's digital textbook provided a foothold to add more Korea-related content to Ecuadorian textbooks. In the afternoon, participants had an opportunity to broaden their understanding of Korea's history, culture and economy by attending lectures on "Korean History in Cultural Heritage" and "Korea's Economic Development History and Korea-Latin America Economic Relations."

Participants in the seminar also visited Gyeongju's historical sites such as Cheonmachong, Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram to understand the Buddhist culture and architecture of the Silla Dynasty. In Busan, the second-largest city in Korea, they witnessed the footsteps of Korea's modern and contemporary history such as the Provisional Capital Government Complex and Gamcheon Culture Village. Visiting Seoul, they had time to learn the history of Seoul at the Seoul Museum of History, and visited Gyeongbokgung Palace, Hanok Village and Insa-dong to experience the city and Korean culture which combines tradition and modernity. Participants also had time to enjoy the standard and fun of Korean performance art by watching the world-renowned "The Painters: HERO" art performance.

The Ecuadorian textbook experts who participated in the Korean culture seminar said they came to obtain greater interest in Korea's education, history and culture through the seminar. The Center will continue to cooperate with them to increase mutual understanding of students from the two countries through textbooks and understanding materials.