Essay Contest Result
Korean Studies Program and Korea's National Image
The Korean Studies has emerged as a discipline of research and study in the International and Area Studies. In several universities across the world, the Department or courses on Korean Studies have been introduced to teach and learn about Korean society, politics, history, culture, economy, etc. The Korea Foundation and the Academy of Korean Studies, which are the two Government-funded institutions of Korea, have been actively promoting the discipline of Korean Studies among the foreign researchers and students.
The rapid popularity of the Korean cultural products, such as K-pop, movies, dramas, food, fashion, etc., which is also known as the "Korean Wave" or Hallyu has hugely contributed in the expansion of the Korean Studies program across the world. Also, students from various countries enroll themselves in the Korean Universities to learn more about Korea and its society. Interestingly, the Korean Language learning has also gained pace due the availability of job opportunities in Korean companies. All these have contributed in the enhancement of the national image and profile of Korea in the world.
However, compared to the Chinese or Japanese Studies, the field of Korean Studies still remains a lesser known subject. Despite investing millions of dollars by the Korean Government institutions, Korean Studies has not flourished well. While there are some wellknown Korean Studies centers and institutes in the developed countries, the interest in learning about the Korean social science subjects in large parts of the developing world remains low.
Several reasons could be attributed to the current situation of Korean Studies in the world.
Firstly, scholars and researchers allege that Korea is quite small in size and does not have much impact in the international affairs. Secondly, the major disciplines of social science are engaged in building theories and area studies do not have much significance when it comes to the methodological issues. Thirdly, the rise of China as an economic and military giant in Asia has overshadowed the Korean Studies program.
Nevertheless, a closer look reveals that Korea has also positively contributed in the building of concepts and theories in social science and the Korean experiences provide important empirical evidences for strengthening our current knowledge of the social reality and the world. Some of these are as follows:
1. Developmental State: The concept of "developmental state" was given by Chalmers Johnson in his research regarding the Japanese economic miracle after the World War II. The rapid economic rise of Korea since 1960s also became a model of state-led or state-guided economic system. With a range of economic policies, such as planning, financial control, promotion of export and support to the big business groups or chaebol, Korea was able to become a "Miracle on the Han River." Therefore, the Korean case has further enriched our understanding about the developmental state model.
2. Democracy's "Third Wave": The successful democratic consolidation in Korea has indeed been an achievement. Samuel P. Huntington's thesis on the "Third Wave" of democracy can be effectively applied to the Korean case as well. While a large number of countries in Asia and the world have fallen to the authoritarian regimes, Korea has remained a bulwark of democracy in the region. With a vibrant civil society movement and respect to the human rights, the democracy in Korea has become more strengthened.
3. Soft Power: The term "soft power" was coined by Joseph Nye. In his conception of soft power, Nye has argued about the strategy to win the hearts and minds of the masses without coercion or payment. Korea's rise as a soft power in the world has indeed been phenomenal. The popularity of the "Korean Wave" has also contributed in understanding the concept of soft power in the international relations.
4. Middle Power: The concept of "middle power" represents middle ranking countries in the international relations which do not have the capacity to change the structures of the world politics but acts in maintaining peace, promote development, support human rights and work for the protection of environment. Korea has also been asserting to become a middle power and play an active role in the regional and world affairs. In this pursuit, Korea has been hosting international events, sending peacekeeping missions abroad and providing aid to the underdeveloped countries.
It can be argued that the popularity of Korean Studies program shall depend on the power and influence of Korea in the world affairs. To increase the popularity of Korean Studies in the world would require the promotion of well-trained researchers and scholars in this field.
Apart from this, the following strategies may benefit in efforts towards globalizing the Korean Studies:
a. Korean researchers should emphasize on the most unique Korean contributions to the world. For example, Confucianism and Silk Road are always associated with China. Similarly, Buddhism and Yoga is regarded as an Indian contribution to the world civilization. In this regard, movable metal type printing could be promoted as the most significant contribution of Korea to the humanity which revolutionized the process of learning and education. Also, Ondol as a Korean innovation in heating system is quite energy efficient.
b. In the contemporary times countries are often associated with certain ideas or symbols. Such as, the United States of America is known for freedom, France for fashion, Japan for honesty, Germany for technology and Canada for immigrants. Korea could promote itself as a country of "generosity" (kind-hearted people). The Korean contribution to the development activities in the poor countries and Koreans as people with big hearts needs to be highlighted.
c. The power and influence of a country make it attractive for the foreigners to study about it. Russian Studies were popular during the Cold War, but subsequently declined after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Similarly, the demand for Chinese Studies has skyrocketed with the rapid economic and military rise of China. Korean Studies have also gained pace with the Hallyu boom. The efforts should be to bring more innovation and creativity to make the Hallyu phenomenon sustainable in the coming times.
d. The application of information technology (IT) would be a crucial element in the promotion of the Korean Studies program in the world. The IT has transformed our lives in a big way and the world has become a "global village" due to this technological revolution. The Korean Studies related materials need to be made more accessible through online platforms. Digitization of books, journal articles, lectures on YouTube and other media networks would have a positive effect for the Korean Studies program across the world.
The above mentioned suggestions are just a few of the measures which could be applied to promote the field of Korean Studies and encourage foreigners to learn more about Korea. Further, the Korean Studies should not be limited only to the people with Korean Language skills, but should be accessible to everyone. This could be done through the large scale translation of Korean Studies literature into English and other major languages of the world.
The Korean Studies also need to be expanded into the new areas of human knowledge and activities. Some of them have been discussed below:
I. Development Studies: The "Knowledge Sharing Program" of Korea is a strategy to dissipate the country's experience with regards to its economic development. The rural development program in Korea or Saemaul Undong project can provide lessons to the developing countries for promoting cooperation in the villages, increase food productivity, sanitation, literacy and development. Introducing chapters in the school curriculum in foreign countries regarding Korean economic development model shall contribute in the promotion of Korean Studies.
II. Women Studies: Probably no other society in the modern world has experienced such a rapid transformation as the Korean society. Notably, women were always on the margins of the highly patriarchal social system in the pre-modern Korea. In the modern period, Korean women again became the victims of brutal abuse and exploitation. The Japanese colonial period (1910-1945) witnessed forced sexual slavery of Korean women as "comfort women." In the post-liberation period also Korean women faced massive exploitation in the national reconstruction project. However, in the recent decades Korean women have indeed broken the "glass ceiling" and have reached new levels of progress and achievement. In this regard, the Korean women are a symbol of sacrifice and dedication. The promotion of Korean Studies through the Women Studies program could be a new strategy to popularize this discipline.
III. The devastating Korean War (1950-1953) was extremely brutal for the civilian population in the country. As the only divided country in the world, Korea has been grappling with the war every hour of the day. Peace has been a very precious thing for this "Land of Morning Calm." Without peace Korea would not have achieved such a rapid economic development in the country. The Korean experiences suggest that peace is important for development and prosperity. Therefore, Korea's support to the Peace Studies program across the world would be a meaningful contribution to our contemporary world.
In conclusion, it can be said that Korean Studies as a sub-discipline of social science has a potential to contribute in the theory building. Despite increasing popularity of the Chinese and Japanese Studies, Korean Studies could still maintain its distinct space by formulating new strategies and entering into new domains of human knowledge. This would also enhance the profile and image of Korea among the foreigners.
The rapid popularity of the Korean cultural products, such as K-pop, movies, dramas, food, fashion, etc., which is also known as the "Korean Wave" or Hallyu has hugely contributed in the expansion of the Korean Studies program across the world. Also, students from various countries enroll themselves in the Korean Universities to learn more about Korea and its society. Interestingly, the Korean Language learning has also gained pace due the availability of job opportunities in Korean companies. All these have contributed in the enhancement of the national image and profile of Korea in the world.
However, compared to the Chinese or Japanese Studies, the field of Korean Studies still remains a lesser known subject. Despite investing millions of dollars by the Korean Government institutions, Korean Studies has not flourished well. While there are some wellknown Korean Studies centers and institutes in the developed countries, the interest in learning about the Korean social science subjects in large parts of the developing world remains low.
Several reasons could be attributed to the current situation of Korean Studies in the world.
Firstly, scholars and researchers allege that Korea is quite small in size and does not have much impact in the international affairs. Secondly, the major disciplines of social science are engaged in building theories and area studies do not have much significance when it comes to the methodological issues. Thirdly, the rise of China as an economic and military giant in Asia has overshadowed the Korean Studies program.
Nevertheless, a closer look reveals that Korea has also positively contributed in the building of concepts and theories in social science and the Korean experiences provide important empirical evidences for strengthening our current knowledge of the social reality and the world. Some of these are as follows:
1. Developmental State: The concept of "developmental state" was given by Chalmers Johnson in his research regarding the Japanese economic miracle after the World War II. The rapid economic rise of Korea since 1960s also became a model of state-led or state-guided economic system. With a range of economic policies, such as planning, financial control, promotion of export and support to the big business groups or chaebol, Korea was able to become a "Miracle on the Han River." Therefore, the Korean case has further enriched our understanding about the developmental state model.
2. Democracy's "Third Wave": The successful democratic consolidation in Korea has indeed been an achievement. Samuel P. Huntington's thesis on the "Third Wave" of democracy can be effectively applied to the Korean case as well. While a large number of countries in Asia and the world have fallen to the authoritarian regimes, Korea has remained a bulwark of democracy in the region. With a vibrant civil society movement and respect to the human rights, the democracy in Korea has become more strengthened.
3. Soft Power: The term "soft power" was coined by Joseph Nye. In his conception of soft power, Nye has argued about the strategy to win the hearts and minds of the masses without coercion or payment. Korea's rise as a soft power in the world has indeed been phenomenal. The popularity of the "Korean Wave" has also contributed in understanding the concept of soft power in the international relations.
4. Middle Power: The concept of "middle power" represents middle ranking countries in the international relations which do not have the capacity to change the structures of the world politics but acts in maintaining peace, promote development, support human rights and work for the protection of environment. Korea has also been asserting to become a middle power and play an active role in the regional and world affairs. In this pursuit, Korea has been hosting international events, sending peacekeeping missions abroad and providing aid to the underdeveloped countries.
It can be argued that the popularity of Korean Studies program shall depend on the power and influence of Korea in the world affairs. To increase the popularity of Korean Studies in the world would require the promotion of well-trained researchers and scholars in this field.
Apart from this, the following strategies may benefit in efforts towards globalizing the Korean Studies:
a. Korean researchers should emphasize on the most unique Korean contributions to the world. For example, Confucianism and Silk Road are always associated with China. Similarly, Buddhism and Yoga is regarded as an Indian contribution to the world civilization. In this regard, movable metal type printing could be promoted as the most significant contribution of Korea to the humanity which revolutionized the process of learning and education. Also, Ondol as a Korean innovation in heating system is quite energy efficient.
b. In the contemporary times countries are often associated with certain ideas or symbols. Such as, the United States of America is known for freedom, France for fashion, Japan for honesty, Germany for technology and Canada for immigrants. Korea could promote itself as a country of "generosity" (kind-hearted people). The Korean contribution to the development activities in the poor countries and Koreans as people with big hearts needs to be highlighted.
c. The power and influence of a country make it attractive for the foreigners to study about it. Russian Studies were popular during the Cold War, but subsequently declined after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Similarly, the demand for Chinese Studies has skyrocketed with the rapid economic and military rise of China. Korean Studies have also gained pace with the Hallyu boom. The efforts should be to bring more innovation and creativity to make the Hallyu phenomenon sustainable in the coming times.
d. The application of information technology (IT) would be a crucial element in the promotion of the Korean Studies program in the world. The IT has transformed our lives in a big way and the world has become a "global village" due to this technological revolution. The Korean Studies related materials need to be made more accessible through online platforms. Digitization of books, journal articles, lectures on YouTube and other media networks would have a positive effect for the Korean Studies program across the world.
The above mentioned suggestions are just a few of the measures which could be applied to promote the field of Korean Studies and encourage foreigners to learn more about Korea. Further, the Korean Studies should not be limited only to the people with Korean Language skills, but should be accessible to everyone. This could be done through the large scale translation of Korean Studies literature into English and other major languages of the world.
The Korean Studies also need to be expanded into the new areas of human knowledge and activities. Some of them have been discussed below:
I. Development Studies: The "Knowledge Sharing Program" of Korea is a strategy to dissipate the country's experience with regards to its economic development. The rural development program in Korea or Saemaul Undong project can provide lessons to the developing countries for promoting cooperation in the villages, increase food productivity, sanitation, literacy and development. Introducing chapters in the school curriculum in foreign countries regarding Korean economic development model shall contribute in the promotion of Korean Studies.
II. Women Studies: Probably no other society in the modern world has experienced such a rapid transformation as the Korean society. Notably, women were always on the margins of the highly patriarchal social system in the pre-modern Korea. In the modern period, Korean women again became the victims of brutal abuse and exploitation. The Japanese colonial period (1910-1945) witnessed forced sexual slavery of Korean women as "comfort women." In the post-liberation period also Korean women faced massive exploitation in the national reconstruction project. However, in the recent decades Korean women have indeed broken the "glass ceiling" and have reached new levels of progress and achievement. In this regard, the Korean women are a symbol of sacrifice and dedication. The promotion of Korean Studies through the Women Studies program could be a new strategy to popularize this discipline.
III. The devastating Korean War (1950-1953) was extremely brutal for the civilian population in the country. As the only divided country in the world, Korea has been grappling with the war every hour of the day. Peace has been a very precious thing for this "Land of Morning Calm." Without peace Korea would not have achieved such a rapid economic development in the country. The Korean experiences suggest that peace is important for development and prosperity. Therefore, Korea's support to the Peace Studies program across the world would be a meaningful contribution to our contemporary world.
In conclusion, it can be said that Korean Studies as a sub-discipline of social science has a potential to contribute in the theory building. Despite increasing popularity of the Chinese and Japanese Studies, Korean Studies could still maintain its distinct space by formulating new strategies and entering into new domains of human knowledge. This would also enhance the profile and image of Korea among the foreigners.
[Grand Prize]
Ranjit Kumar Dhawan
(Country of Activity : India)
Ranjit Kumar Dhawan
(Country of Activity : India)
