"2nd World Congress of Korean Studies"

In 2003, the ROK Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) and DPRK Academy of Social Sciences (ASS) reached an agreement to co-host the Congress. In addition, International Society for Korean Studies (ISKS) agreed to conduct a role of mediator since direct communication between North and South was not permitted.

However, in late July of 2004, the DPRK notified that the AKS was not allowed to enter Pyongyang and co-host the World Congress. The basic agreement was breached and, accordingly, the essential elements of Congress preparation (such as financial support for participants, fund-raising, and chartered flight) became highly doubtful. In such circumstances, the original motto of the Congress - "Korean Studies in the Era of Reconciliation and Cooperation" - was impossible to achieve.

Although all the papers were delivered to and reviewed by DPRK authority in June (they even asked the AKS to request some participants to correct certain phrases or expressions which were not appropriate for Pyongyang presentation in their judgement), the ASS claimed that participants' papers had not been delivered to the DPRK. Many papers were to be translated into Korean on the spot to engage local participants into discussions. Altogether, 150 papers were presented at 9 different panels. The " Congress" organisers also recorded a video film (PAL, 90 min.) which features every stage of the event. 

Although it was supposed to be another international conference different from the World Congress because it was organized by only DPRK without any co-hosting or sponsoring organizations, they adopted the title, "the World Congress of Korean Studies". However, it was not the "real" World Congress of Korean Studies. Cancellation of the World Congress was resulted from political conflict in the level of governments, not in the level of hosting organizations. 

On the contrary, hosting organizations were putting an effort to co-develop Korean Studies. For example, the AKS is fully aware that every single participant put precious time and effort on writing a paper. Currently, diverse solutions to compensate for it such rescheduling of the Congress or publishing the proceeding are being reviewed. In spite of any hardships, the AKS will continue the World Congress of Korean Studies because it will contribute to not only development of Korean Studies but also peace on the Korean peninsula.

Delegates Arrive to Attend 2nd World Conference on Korean Studies

Pyongyang, August 3, 2004 (KCNA) -- Delegates of Russia, the United States, China, Australia, Japan, Spain and other countries arrived here today to attend the 2nd World Conference on Korean Studies. 

Also arriving were delegates of Koreans from the United States, China, Japan, Spain and other countries. Earlier, a delegation of the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences of China and a delegation of Korean social scientists in Japan arrived here. 

The Second World Congress of Korean Studies was held in Pyongyang from August 4 to 5, participated in by more than 350 scholars, specialists and researchers of Korean studies. The congress was the academic meeting of scholars and researchers who study Korean issues including Korean politics, economics, history and literature.

The academic meeting was participated in by 330 Korean scholars and researchers, 300 from the DPRK and 30 from overseas. A total of 22 foreign scholars also attended the two-day meeting. A total of 150 theses were read in the congress.

Panel meetings were held in nine sections, such as philosophy, sociology and politics, economics and law, history, literature, linguistics, ethnic art, pedagogy and culture, science and technology. The first congress was held in Seoul, South Korea.

Photo shows participants in the 2nd World Congress of Korean Studies who came from various countries.

Thae Hyong Chol declared the congress open, expressing belief that the congress, which opened in Pyongyang amidst the great interest and expectation of world experts on Koreanology, would be a significant congress which would lay a new milestone in further developing Koreanology. Ro Tu Chol in his congratulatory speech hoped that the congress would mark a new turn in studying Korea at a higher level, strengthening solidarity among scholars studying Koreanology and thus positively contributing to the reunification and development of the Korean nation and achievement of peace and security of Asia and the rest of the world. 

Congratulatory speeches were also made by Alexandr Vorontsov, chief of Korean Section of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Chen Longshan, president of the Jilin Provincial Center for Northeast Asia Studies, China. Panel discussions took place at the congress. They involved philosophy, socio-politics, economic law, history, literature, linguistics, folk art, education and culture and science and technology. 

Delegates of the DPRK, different countries and overseas Koreans presented many valuable papers and exchanged views on the issues of mutual concern.  Speakers at the panel discussions said though they differed from each other in the fields and subjects of their studies, they should have the same great theme Koreanology should pursue at the present time when a nation-wide campaign should be conducted to achieve the country's reunification and peace through the great national unity under the banner of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration. 

The participants shared the view on boosting exchange and cooperation and strengthening the ties among world experts on Koreanology to positively contribute to firmly preserving and glorifying the time-honored history and brilliant culture of Korea. The congress continues. (KCNA)  

Present on invitation were Korean and foreign delegations and delegates and overseas Korean delegations and delegates. Vice-Premier of the Cabinet Ro Tu Chol in his speech said that the Korean people are now making vigorous efforts to build a great prosperous powerful nation, overcoming difficulties, true to the Songun leadership of Kim Jong Il. 

He hoped that the congress would offer an opportunity to reconfirm the advantages of the Korean nation with a history spanning 5,000 years and brilliant culture, exchange achievements and experience gained in the study of Koreanology and swap new academic views on the common development and reunification of the Korean nation

A closing meeting was held at the congress. Thae Hyong Chol, president of the Academy of Social Sciences, in his speech at the closing meeting called upon all the participants to further intensify the study of Koreanology based on the successes and experience achieved at the congress and thus creditably fulfill their mission and duty as intellectuals in the era of reunification who guarantee national reconciliation, cooperation and reunification with knowledge and lead them with brush. 

Then followed speeches by Sergey Kurbanov, director of the Center for Korean Language and Culture of Faculty of Oriental Studies of St-Petersburg State University of Russia, Paek Jong Min, chairwoman of the Korean American Women Artistes and Writers Association, and Kim Hwa Hyo, chairman of the Association of Korean Social Scientists in Japan.