The Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) successfully hosted the 12th World Congress of Korean Studies on October 17 (Thursday) and 18 (Friday), 2024, at the VNU University of Languages and International Studies, Hanoi. The conference, themed "Beyond Boundaries: Interdisciplinary Communication in Korean Studies," marked a significant milestone.

The World Congress of Korean Studies, a representative biennial scholarly conference on Korean studies since 2002, has been held in various countries including Korea, the USA, China, and Taiwan. By 2022, over 3,500 scholars had participated, presenting approximately 1,360 papers that cast new light on Korean studies. This year's event in Vietnam, where interest in Korean studies is high, was particularly meaningful.

On the first day of the conference, Professor Chae Soo-Hong from Seoul National University delivered a keynote speech on "Korean Studies from a Regional Studies Perspective: A Case Study of Vietnam." Professor Chae analyzed the growth and development of Korean studies using Vietnam as a case study, scrutinized the contradictions of Korean studies from a cultural relativism perspective, and proposed future directions for Korean studies.

 
The conference featured over 110 scholars from 18 countries, including Choi Young-sam, Ambassador of South Korea to Vietnam, Nguyen Xuan Long, President of the University of Languages and International studies, Song Nam-seon, Chairman of the International Society for Korean Studies, Park Noja, Chairman of the European Association for Korean Studies, and Wang Sixiang, Chairman of the North American Association for Asian Studies-the Committee on Korean Studies. They presented the latest research findings in 30 panels and engaged in in-depth discussions. About 200 researchers and officials attended, contributing to meaningful discussions across various fields of Korean studies.

On the last day, a paper award ceremony was held to discover the next generation of Korean scholars. The AKS Award was presented to Son Sung-gyu (PhD candidate, Seoul National University), and the Excellence Award was given to Kim Jin-hong (PhD candidate at the Graduate School of Korean Studies, the AKS) and Lee Chae-young (PhD candidate, Boston University), who are expected to become leading researchers in Korean studies.

Additionally, promotional spaces for institutions and projects were operated during the conference. The Academy's Understanding Korea Project, The Academy of Korean Studies, Korean Studies Promotion Service, Center for Korean Economy and K-Academics at SNU, and the European Journal of Korean Studies were promoted. Participants had the opportunity to access a wide range of research and education opportunities in Korean studies.

The 12th World Congress of Korean Studies concluded successfully amid high global interest, sharing various research achievements and exploring new horizons in Korean studies. The AKS will continue to enhance global communication through the World Congress of Korean Studies and consistently establish forums for discussions aimed at advancing Korean studies.