Korea

The field of Korean studies covers a broad range of topics related to the Korean peninsula and its surrounding regions. Understanding the history of the peninsula is crucial in comprehending the relationships between North and South Korea and their neighboring countries, as well as the political processes of the modern era, affected by the relationships between Korea and other nations in the region. It is essential to comprehend the foreign policies of North and South Korea, as well as the processes that have led to the formation of two independent countries—the Republic of Korea in the south and the People’s Republic of Korea in the north—which differ in their governmental structures and economies. South Korea has become the 10^th economy in the world, while North Korea, despite its impressive achievements in nuclear and missile technology, has not succeeded in building a solid economy. We also teach and research the soft powers of South Korea, reflected in K-pop, Korean TV dramas, electronics, and cosmetics, which over the past two decades have become popular worldwide. In addition, we study how the government leverages this soft power to promote the South Korean economy and influence the world.