CEFIA News

The Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) is pleased to announce the recruitment of fellows for the "AKS Hanmun (Classical Chinese) Fellowship." As a key part of our mission is to train scholars who will advance and globalize Korean studies, we have established the "2026 AKS Hanmun (Classical Chinese) Fellowship" for international scholars in this field. We invite those who interested in joining our program at AKS, a global hub of Korean studies in the world.

1. Programs : Lectures, recitations, researches, and on-site tours (conducted in Korean)
2. Program Period
   - 11th(Basic Course) : March 4 – June 20, 2025
   - 12th(Advanced Course) : September 1 – December 19, 2025
3. Venue : The Academy of Korean Studies
4. Eligibility
   - Undergraduates students, master's and doctoral degree students majoring in Korean Studies at overseas university
     (including candidates of master's or doctoral degrees)
   - Korean nationals and graduates are ineligible for this program.
5. Required Documents
   1) For All Applicants
     - Application form (download the attached file)
     - Certificate of registration (or completion)
     - A letter of reference (from an academic advisor stating why study of Hanmun is necessary for applicant)
     - Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) score report (Only for those who have score)
   2) Additional Documents for Applicants of the Advanced Course (Choose one of the followings)
     - A copy of transcript or certificate which prove the completion of a Hanmun(Hanja/Chinese Character) course at university
     (or from other programs).
     - AKS Hanmun Fellowship Certificate of Completion
   ※ All documents should be written in Korean or English; otherwise, a notarized translation in Korean or English
      must be attached.
6. Application Period : September 9 – October 11, 2024
7. Application Method : Online application is available on the AKS homepage
8. Video Interview
   - Interviewee: Applicants who passed document review
   - Date&Time: Individual session will be arranged from October 23 to October 25
9. Announcement of Selection : The result will be announced individually via e-mail on Thursday, October 31, 2024.
10. Lectures
   - Basic Course: Gyemongpyeon (The book of teaching children), Mencius, Samguksagi (The Chronicles of the Three States),
     Collected Commentaries of Elementary Learning, etc.
   - Advanced Course: Analects of Confucius, Mencius, Samgungnyusa(The Heritage of the Three States),
     Prose Reading, etc.
11. Support
   - Round-trip airfare (economy class) and support for living expenses (750,000 KRW per month)
   - Accommodations (guesthouse at the Academy of Korean Studies)
   - Accident Insurance
12. Others
   - Submit a study report by fifteen days before the end of the semester.
   - Support for living will not be provided to person who receive funds from other sources.
13. Contacts : The Center for International Affairs of the Academy of Korean Studies
   - E-mail : akshanmun@aks.ac.kr

  

The Division of International Support for Korean Studies held the 194th Colloquium on Korean Studies Abroad at the Grand Conference Room of Munhyeongwan Hall on Thursday, September 25, 2025. The recipients of the 2025 AKS Fellowship presented the findings of their fellowship research, which served as a venue for scholarly exchange.

Prof. Benoit Berthelier (University of Sydney) presented his research on the topic of “Beyond Ideology: Scientific Discourse and Technocratic Authority in North Korea.” By examining how scientists and technical experts in North Korea have influenced national policy and the process of legitimacy construction, Prof. Berthelier offered a new perspective for interpreting North Korea’s political power structure. While previous North Korean studies have primarily focused on the charismatic authority of political leaders, this presentation enabled a more diverse understanding of North Korea’s political structure through the new analytical framework of “technocratic authority.”

Prof. Bubbles Beverly Asor (De La Salle University) continued with a presentation on the topic of “Caring for Migrants and More?: The Role of Appropriable Religious Organisation in Migrant Integration in South Korea.” Based on research into Filipino migrant communities, Prof. Asor analyzed how the Catholic Church plays a pivotal role in the migrant integration process that extends beyond its simple religious function to provide welfare, form care networks, and build community. In particular, by applying James Coleman’s concept of “appropriable social organization,” Prof. Asor conducted an in-depth discussion of how the Catholic Church is reconstructed and utilized within the field of migrant integration in Korean society.

Many researchers and graduate students attended the colloquium, sharing diverse opinions. The Division of International Support for Korean Studies will continue to provide such opportunities for communication between researchers from Korea and abroad.

The Division of International Support for Korean Studies held the 105th Societas Koreana Lecture Meeting on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at the Westin Josun Seoul Hotel. Prof. Leif-Eric Easley (Ewha Womans University) spoke on the topic of “Seoul’s Diplomatic Diversification and Sending Credible Signals,” examining South Korea's diplomatic strategy and regional role amid rapidly changing international circumstances.

In his talk, Prof. Easley provided comprehensive insights into various ways Korea can secure stability and negotiating power through diplomatic diversification while contributing to the regional and international community. Attendees showed great interest in how Korea can strengthen its diplomatic position through balanced strategies in the changing international landscape, as well as in Korea’s evolving position and role within the diverse cooperative frameworks of the international community.

A video of the lecture will be made available on the Societas Koreana YouTube channel in the future.