A Survey of North Korean Studies in South Korea: Current Status and Prescriptions for Establishment as an Independent Discipline
2011
Author(s): Kim, Yongsoon KIM
Lee, Eun Kook LEE
Song, Haekyung
UC Berkeley
Cross-Currents: East Asian History and Culture Review
Title
A Survey of North
Korean Studies in South Korea: Current Status and
Prescriptions for
Establishment as an Independent Discipline
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Authors
Kim, Yongsoon KIM
Lee, Eun Kook LEE
Song, Haekyung
Publication Date 2011-12-01
Supplemental Material
https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0vg221g5#supplemental
Peer reviewed
Review Essay
A
Sketch of North Korean Studies in South Korea:
The
Current Status and the Prescriptions to Establish Its Identity as an
Independent Discipline*
Yongsoon Kim Eun Kook Lee
Haekyung Song
Yonsei University Seoul National University
As part of an effort to redefine the identity of North Korean
studies, this study analyzes research trends in Masterss and Doctoral
dissertations published in South Korea prior to 2008. The analysis verifies its
multidisciplinary characteristics as an area studies, diversity of research
areas and subjects, and quantitative and qualitative development; as such,
effective management of the related department and systematic activities of
relevant scholarly societies provide a new opportunity for systematically
improving the quality of North Korean studies. Establishing roots as an
independent discipline and establishing its identity requires advancements in
three aspects: vitalization and expansion of support for North Korean studies
at the government level, long-term support for systematic management of the
related curriculum at the university level, and revitalization of the research
on more various areas by the academic needs at the academic level. Most
importantly, efforts to reduce perception gaps in identity among scholars are
vital.
Key words: North Korean studies, identity, area studies,
multidisciplinary approach, interdisciplinary
research
I.
Introduction
Studies on North Korea have been more sensitively
influenced by the political and ideological relationship between South and
North Korea than any other study. This area remained a minor area of academic
interest until the end of the 1980s; consequently, it was treated distantly by
the general social sciencess main interests and has yet to emerge from its
backwardness in terms of research quality. The
![]()
* This work was supported by the
National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government
[KRF2008-321-B00010].
** First author: Yongsoon Kim ,
Corresoponding author: Eun Kook Lee
collapse
of socialist states in Eastern Europe starting in the late 1980s raised
numerous academic debates on the framework for studies on North Korea,
including insiderssversus outsiderssapproaches and idiosyncrasy versus
generality of the North Korean system. Such debates have served as the momentum
to move one step up in quantitative and qualitative levels.
Until the mid-1960s, North Korean studies
remained at the preliminary level of journalism or policyexpository level; they
began to establish a more appropriate base of academic support only later. The
creation of the National Unification Board in 1969 was the starting point for
stimulating academic and political interests in studies on North Korea. The end
of the Cold War to a certain degree relaxed ideological restrictions that had
limited scholarssacademic freedom, thereby giving scholars a chance to carry
out full-scale research on North Korean issues that had previously been taboo
in South Korea (Chs oe 2003, 11).
Research on
North Korea did not begin because of an interest in specific areas of human
life like the traditional disciplines (e.g., politics, sociology, economics,
law), but rather due to political interests and needs in North Korea related to
the divided peninsula. As a result, studies on North Korea in South Koreamunlike
most area studiesmhave the general characteristics of area studies as well as tmusttheoreticuones
or toughtnessudue to the distinct tstudies on a part of own-nationu(Kang 1999,
13). Thus, studies on North Korea have a much shorter history and involve fewer
researchers than other academic fields. However, considering the countryss
growth during the past 20 years, it is timely at this point to deliberate
carefully upon its identity academically as serious deliberation will act as an
important driving force for North Korean studies to self-generate as an
organized academic discipline.
As part of an
effort to redefine the identity of North Korean studies, after a brief
explanation on the short history of the field, this study analyzes the research
trends in Masterss and Doctoral dissertations published in South Korea prior to
2008. The analysis verifies its multidisciplinary characteristics as an area
studies, diversity of research areas and subjects, and quantitative and
qualitative development; as such, effective management of the related
department and systematic activities of relevant scholarly societies provide a
new opportunity for systematically improving the quality of North Korean studies.
Although this study may not have incorporated illustrative research into the
qualitative trends of North Korean studies by analyzing a few representative
works, it does provide a meaningful look at the current state of North Korean
studies to those interested in the study of North Korea, particularly to
English readers.
II.
Development of North Korean
Studies
Early studies on
North Korea were primarily limited to political science, but improved NorthmSouth
relations and increased research interests in North Korean issues have
demassified scholarssmajors. During the past two decades, such studiessquantity
and quality, including research results like dissertations, books, and papers,
specialized research institutes, academic journals, and relevant scholarly societies
like the Korean Association of North Korean Studies (KANKS) and the Association
of North Korean Studies (ANKS), have grown explosively.[1])
More recently, academic concerns about the
identities of the studies have started in earnest, further befitting
quantitative and qualitative development in this area.
Furthermore,
recent professional researchers have been trained systematically. Starting with
the Department of North Korean Studies in Dongguk University in 1994, some
universities like Myongji and Korea University have established undergraduate
programs for studying North Korean issues. Some universities have operated
graduate programs and produced a number of graduate and Doctoral students
exploring North Korean studies or unification.[2])
These organized educational institutions play an
important role in promoting the debate on the identity of North Korean studies,
thereby facilitating their development.
The first research to provide an overview of trends in studies on
North Korea was conducted by Sangu Yi of the tPukhan YoÊnsguu(North Korean studies) in Kongsansgwon
Yonsgu Hyonhwang (Studies of Communism and Communist Countries
in Korea) (1981). The author analyzed the data offered from the National
Unification Board.[3]) Meanwhile,
On-chuk Yiss tPukhan Sahoe YoÊnsgu uÊi HyoÊnhwang kwa PangboÊplonjoÊk Kwajeu(Research on North Korean Society:
Methodological Aspects) (1982) systematically organized and quantitatively
analyzed research results according to data types and subjects.
A more systematic approach was used by the Institute of North Korean Studies
(INKS). tHans guk Hakgye uÊi Pukhan
YoÊnsgu OÊdi-ggaji WatnuÊnka:
Pukhan Kwankye SoÊksa-Paksa Hakwi Nonmun Mokloku(Currents
of the North Korean Studies in South Korea: List of Dissertations) (1986) in Pukhan (North Korea), which introduced
289 dissertations, including 269 Masterss and 20 Doctoral dissertations.
The first
serious efforts to collect and analyze research results qualitatively occurred
in SuÊng-soÊp Songss tPundan ihu Pukhan YoÊnsgu uÊi HyoÊnjuso ruÊl Chindan handa: SoÊksa-Paksa Hakwi Nonmun uÊl
Chungsim
uÊlou(Diagnosis of Present Status of
North Korean Studies after the Division: Focusing on
Dissertations)
(1995) and tPukhan KwanryoÊn YoÊnsgu Tonghyang uÊi
KyeryangjoÊk PunsoÊk: SoÊksaPaksa Hakwi Nonmun uÊl Chungsim uÊlou(A
Quantitative Analysis of the Trends in North Korean Studies: Focusing on
Dissertations) (1998). Another remarkable milestone was KANKSss efforts to
understand the development of studies on North Korea that approach such studies
as an academic discipline in Pundan
Pansegi Pukhan YoÊnsgusa
(History of North Korean Studies for the Divided Half Century) (1999). In
every chapter, an expert in a specific area related to North Korea (e.g.,
politics, economy, military) analyzes a number of studies, including its past
trends and future prospects. Some suggestions addressed in the research,
including approach and methodology, infrastructure, and interactions with North
Korean scholars for the development of studies on North Korea, remain valid.
Previous research on the trends in
studies on North Korea all focused on ascertaining and reaffirming the
variability in the research areas and subjects, whereas the current study does
not. The understanding of the trends in this area has been developed
quantitatively as well as qualitatively thus far and serves as the beginning
point of this study. By providing a new opportunity to systematically improve
the quality of studies on North Korea, this research attempts to ascertain its
multidisciplinary characteristics as an area studies and then provide extended
suggestions for turning this area of study into an academic discipline. This
study provides a clue for promoting its academic position far beyond the
differences of perspectives and views among scholars. It is expected that this
would be one of underlying causes to ensure that experts use more analytical
approaches and balanced perspectives in their research areas.
III.
North Korean Studies as a
Multidisciplinary Field
To analyze North Korean research trends
in domestic Masterss and Doctoral dissertations published prior to 2008, a web
search engine was used to perform the appropriate searches. The search engine
used was the Research Information Service System (RISS)[4])
provided by Korea Education and Research
Information Service (KERIS). Title of dissertations and keywords parameters
were used for the search.
To
select only North Korea-related studies, tKim Il Sung,utKim Jong Il,utnambuku(North-South), tpukgoeu(North Korean puppet regime), tpukhanu(North Korea), tpukhaeku(North Korean nuclear), tsaetoÊminu(North Korean defector), ttsalbuku(escaping from North Korea), ttsongilu(unification),
and thanbandou(Korean peninsula) in
Korean were employed as search words. Some dissertations were eliminated from
the search results to filter out studies in areas deemed to be uncertain
namely, dissertations on case
studies of unification countries such as Germany, Vietnam, and Yemen that did
not provide implications for the Korean peninsula; dissertations on South Koreass
unification policy, but not comparative analysis on unification policies
between the two Koreas; and dissertations on surrounding great powerss(e.g.,
the United States, China, Russia, Japan) foreign policy toward the Korean
peninsula or Northeast Asia.
As previously
mentioned, studies on North Korea have been expanded quantitatively as well as
qualitatively for the past 20 years. North Korea-related research results such
as books,[5])
journal articles,[6])
and dissertations began to increase rapidly
beginning in 1989 and again in 2000 (see Figure 1). Such increases indicate
that studies on North Korea have been affected by North Korean issues,
inter-Korean relations, and international situations such as the fall of
socialism, Roh Tae Woo administrationss Nordpolitik, the North Korean nuclear
issue in the late 1980s, and the inter-Korean Summit in 2000.
<Figure 1> Annual Research Growth in Studies on
North Korea

A couple of matters are salient on the research fields of
respective dissertations. What is especially noteworthy is that researches on
inter-Korean relations had increased more than all the other research fields
such as politics, economy, society, and culture especially for the period from
the late 1990s to the early 2000s (see Figure 2). In particular, research
subjects such as the issues on North Korean defection and on society among the
research field of inter-Korean relations had proliferated from the early 2000s
(see Figure 3). This is related to, and a mirror image of the changes in South
North Korean relations due to the possibility of total
breakdown in North Korea, the second nuclear crisis with the highlyenriched
uranium (HEU) program, global concern about increasing North Korean defectors,
North Korean human right issues, and so on.
<Figure 2> Trend of Research Fields in Studies on
North Korea

<Figure 3> Trend of Research Subjects on Inter-Korean Relations

A total of 4,650 Masterss and
Doctoral dissertations (4,394 Masterss and 256 Doctoral) were published prior
to 2008 (see Table 1). Dissertations of special graduate schools (SGSs)[7])
make up 46.28 percent (2,152 dissertations) of
the total. General graduate schools (GSs) ranked second with 39.63 percent
(1,843 dissertations), while independent professional or special graduate
universities (PSGUs)[8])
and professional graduate schools (PGSs)[9])
accounted for 7.1 percent (330 dissertations) and
6.99 percent (325 dissertations) respectively. Various PGSs and SGSs have
established Masterss programs in most universities, but few have established
Doctoral programs, which explain the small number of Doctoral dissertations
from these institutions, which focus on professionalism, practicality, and
on-the-job reeducation. Students who earn a Masterss degree from a PGS or SGS
generally enter a Doctoral program in a GS for academic purposes.
<Table 1> Number of Dissertations by Graduate Program
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Yonsei University, Dongguk
University, Korea University, Seoul National University, and Kyung Hee
University have the greatest number of dissertations per institution,
respectively. These five institutions account for 35.12 percent of the total
number of dissertations (see Table 2). In regard to exclusively Doctoral
dissertations, Seoul, Korea, Kyung Hee, Kyungnam, and Dongguk University
account for 36.33 percent of all Doctoral dissertations.
<Table 2> Number of Dissertations by University and Rank
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Within GSs in
the five universities producing the most dissertations, dissertations in
Departments of Political Science and Public Administration account for the
greatest portions of the total (see Table 3).
However,
the Department of North Korean Studies has more dissertations than Political
Science in
Dongguk University
and more than Public Administration in Korea University. In Seoul National
University, the Department of Education produced the most. The Graduate School
of Business produces the most within PGSs (except in Seoul National University)
and within SGSs (except in Korea University). In regard to Doctoral
dissertations only, the number of dissertations in the Department of Political
Science is higher than any other department in the five universities producing
the most dissertations.
<Table 3> Number of Dissertations at Universities Producing the
Most Dissertations by Graduate Program
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Yonsei
University produces more SGS Masterss dissertations (57.11 percent, 269
dissertations) than any other of the top five universities; the dissertations
in its Graduate School of Public Administration accounts for 72.86 percent (196
dissertations) of all SGS dissertations. At Kyungnam University, the number of
dissertations in its SGS of Public Administration and the GS of the Department
of Political Science accounts for 53.08 percent (69 dissertations) and 16.92
percent (22 dissertations) of the total, respectively, due to its Institute for
Far Eastern Studies (IFES)
which has been one of the
leading institutes for studies on North Korea since 1973.
Arranged by department or graduate
program (see Table 4), SGSs of Public Administration and Education makes up
18.37 percent (854 dissertations) and 17.46 percent (812 dissertations),
respectively, of the total, while GSs of Political Science accounts for 10.47
percent, Pubic Administration accounts for 6.41 percent, and Education accounts
for 4.65 percent. In the case of interdisciplinary programs such as area,
Korean, Korean Unification, and North Korean studies, although relatively
recently established, they are growing steadily, with 1.79 percent of the
total, including 80 Masterss and 3 Doctoral dissertations. In addition,
graduate programs comprising a large portion within each graduate school
include GSs of Political Science (26.42 percent, 487dissertations), PGSs of
Business (29.92 percent, 94 dissertations), SGSs of Public Administration
(39.68 percent, 854 dissertations) and Education (37.73 percent, 812
dissertations), and the PSGU of the University of North Korean Studies (34.24
percent, 113 dissertations).
<Table 4> Number of Dissertations by Department or Graduate
Program and Rank
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1) GS.
In addition, the Department of Business has 45(42/3), Mass Communication has
37(36/1), and Ethicshas 31(28/3).
2) PGS.
In addition, the Graduate School of Social Welfare has 35(33/2), Unification
and Security has33(33/0), International Studies has 30(30/0), and Theology has
30(28/2).
3) SGS.
In addition, the Graduate School of Economics has 24(24/0) and Journalism and
MassCommunication has 23(23/0).
4) PSGU.
In addition, Korea National University of Education has 62(60/2) and
theological universities have52(52/0).
The Department of Political Science (38.28
percent, 98 dissertations) assigns the greatest weight to
Doctoral dissertations, followed by Departments of Public
Administration, Law, Education, and Economics. In the case of PGSs of Politics,
all Doctoral dissertations including three in North Korean studies, two in
political science, and one in public administration are from the Graduate
School of Politics and Policy at Kyonggi University. As a whole, although these
main areas remain strong, research areas such as Korean language and
literature, history, sociology, commerce and trade, physical education, social
welfare, and psychology are being expanded.
Slight
differences of the title given in the degrees occur based on the university,
but they are closely related to majors. A degree in education can be awarded to
students who majored and graduated from the Department of Education in a GS,
SGS of Education, or a university of education (e.g., Korea National University
of Education); consequently, degrees in education account for 24 percent
a significant portion (see Table
5). A degree in political science ranks second with 20.45 percent, followed by
public administration with 18.95 percent, North Korean Studies with 7.68
percent, and economics with 3.76 percent. In Doctoral dissertations only, a
degree in political science accounts for 39.45 percent of the total.
<Table 5> Number of Dissertations by Degree and Rank
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1) Every university and graduate school names the
degrees differently; when unclear, the name of the major is used instead.
To sum up,
studies on North Korea as a multidisciplinary field have been developed as area
studies within and among various disciplines. It is still concentrated in a
handful of universities, graduate schools, departments, or professional
institutions. However, the unequal distribution of a specific department and
degree is of secondary importance given the difference of the academic and
practical interests and importance of North Korean studies among the
disciplines. The efforts to establish this area of study, which began with
quantitative and qualitative growth of the research results, continue to
accelerate with qualitative development of North Korean studies related to
education and society.
IV.
The Identity of North Korean
Studies as an Academic Discipline
Most area
studies are quasi-disciplinary forms because a multidisciplinary approach
(i.e., an interdisciplinary approach in various independent academic
disciplines) is a prerequisite for such research.[10])
Area studies have been considered a fundamental
component of comparative studies.[11])
Since area studies is a part of social science,
scientific theory and methodology are needed for academic endeavors. Thus, it
is reasonable to expect researchers in area studies to have the experience to
make proper use of theories, methodologies, and methods in their respective
disciplines (Yi 2001, 7).
Established
disciplines like politics, economics, and sociology have developed theories and
methodologies as core requisites in their degree programs. Some theories have
the same name among the academic areas and both affect and are affected,
although they differ from one another in substance. Researchers in area studies
have worked and developed theories and methodologies within a certain
disciplinary field.[12])
It is common that researchers seeking a Ph.D. in
area studies have learned and received degrees in their existing disciplines.
Therefore, the results achieved thus far in area studies are not from those who
have endeavored in that purpose on a path of discovery for their own theory and
methodology, but rather those who have applied them from their particular
discipline as occasion demands.
Nothing much in
theory and methodology has been formed or developed in studies on North Korea
itself. The fact that most graduate students in newly founded graduate programs
as well as special or professional graduate schools since the mid 1990s have
been those who majored in political science, public administration, or
economics in undergraduate programs makes it difficult to say that North Korean
studies is an independent field at the academic level. Consequently, North
Korean studies in social science use various multidisciplinary approaches and
have fallen under the quasi-disciplinary category until now.
The relationship
among academic disciplines is expressed as an interdisciplinary relationship.
The term interdisciplinary is used to describe studies that use methods and
insights from more than two disciplines or traditional fields of study, so that
scholars who have various theoretical and methodological backgrounds can
research various issues together. As they are linked to each other based on
their interdisciplinary approach, one necessarily borrows concepts, theories,
and methodologies from another. Thus, particular theories have far-reaching
academic effects on many disciplines; furthermore, other disciplines adapt them
with related concepts and methodology, thereby further advancing them (Yi 2001,
13, 19).
Unintended side effects of interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary
approaches include Campbellss tLeonardesque aspiration,uwhich refers to the
goal of creating current Leonardos who are competent in all sciences (Campbell
2009, 329-30).[13])
A scholar generally sticks to the research
subject, methodology, and theory exclusively within his or her own discipline
background and draws a sharp dividing line with other disciplines. Thus, an
interdisciplinary research can bring about a less contributive result by paying
no attention to or not considering the theory and method in the specific
discipline. In addition, by using the inversed situation, that researcher is
engrossed in other disciplines and ignores his or her own, and less
professional results according to his or her discipline standards can be
produced (Yi 2001, 22).
Various
interdisciplinary approaches are possible or required, especially in social
science, because disciplines are piled up one on another, creating tdoublenessuor
tsuperimposition.uThus, the more diversified the research topics are in certain
academic disciplines, the more overlapped the theories, methods, and subjects
are with other disciplines. The fact that this doubleness is being intensified
means, inversely, that it can hardly be said that the discipline
even an established academic one
is completely independent.
Furthermore, existing disciplines are not the results of systemic and logical
deliberations, but of political and social processes (i.e., tpoliticizationuand
tsocializationu), especially within the bureaucratically organized educational
system of universities. Gownsmen in universities have promoted
institutionalization and routinization (Wax 2009, 79-82) of the academic
disciplines in the social science field into mutually exclusive and exhaustive
ones.
How has this affected North Korean
studies? The enrichment of the depth and breadth of the research is evident in
studies on North Korea, too. The quantitative and qualitative growth of studies
on North Korea has facilitated scholarssapproach to research in a more inter-
and multidisciplinary approach and led research to be more professionally
comprehensive. Thus, it is time to firmly establish this areass identity and
the disciplinary position of North Korean Studies, which already exist in some
undergraduate and graduate programs, as one academic discipline. Expanding
research areas and subjects have solidified the position of political economy,
political sociology, and political psychology
disciplines accepted in some
Western universities
just as politics, economics,
sociology, and psychology were once independent academic disciplines.
V.
Conclusion: Perspectives on
Consolidation of Identity
The diversity of
research areas and subjects, the quantitative and qualitative expansion of academic
results, the systematic training of experts on North Korean issues, and the
invigoration of the relevant organizations[14])
increase the chances for North Korean studies to
develop its position into an independent discipline. Research activities on
North Korean issues are occurring at research institutes as well as educational
institutions, including the Asiatic Research Institute (ARI) at Korea
University established in 1957, IFES at Kyungnam University in 1973, the Center
for Korean Unification Studies at Yonsei
University
in 1996, the Institute for North Korean Studies at Korea University in 1998,
the Institute for North Korean Studies at Dongguk University in 2000, and the
Institute for Peace and Unification Studies at Seoul National University in 2006.
Non-governmental institutes such as INKS established in 1971 and the Sejong
Institute in 1983 as well as the government-affiliated Korea Institute for
National Unification (KINU) established in 1991 are additional examples of
institutions promoting such studies.
Maintaining a
secure and stable identity requires the vitalization of relevant institutes and
academic associations. Furthermore, it is of paramount importance what status
North Korean studies has and what is done institutionally at the university and
government levels. This is why a debate on the identity of North Korean studies
should not take place at an abstract academic level only, as the study itself
is institutionalized while being strongly influenced by the educational system
and professional interests. Most research on the current status and problems of
area studies in South Korea emphasize the necessity to recruit human resources,
find financial resources, establish academic and educational environments, etc.
(Yi and KwoÊn 1998; Yi 2000, 1-21; ChoÊn 2002, 29-53; and Kim 2006, 5-25). North Korean studies share such
problems with area studies. Thus, problems facing North Korean studies, tasks
to ensure such studies are rooted in an independent discipline, as well as
maintaining a firm identity could be reviewed from three aspects.
First, in a
policy aspect, the vitalization and expansion of support for North Korean
studies at the government level is needed. Studies of North Korea originate
from the particularity of the divided Korean peninsula; as such, they must be
developed by addressing political needs. Although the Cold War has ended, North
Korean studiessquantity and quality were influenced by the deadlock and
conflict or progress of relationship between the two Koreas. Thus, to guarantee
consistent quantity and quality, as in other disciplines, the governmentss
constant interest and support (without being controlled by interKorean
relations) are required.
Second, in an
educational aspect, long-term support for systematic management of the related
curriculum at the university level is needed. Although related classes have
been developed in some universities, most are introductory courses. Thus far,
the universities offering graduate courses in North Korean studies are few:
Dongguk University (since March 1994), Ewha Womans University (since March
1998), Korea University (since March 1997), Yosei University (since March
2004), and the University of North Korean Studies (since March 1998). Each has
a well-rounded curriculum, but the available classes are basically fixed each
term to four to eight classes from March 2007 to March 2009, except the
University of North Korean Studies, which offered 21 to 26 classes.[15])
Though well-rounded, the curriculum is nominal
not only because it is operated to reflect studentssinterests according to
current trends, but also because the programs lack the human resources
necessary for teaching. Thus, developing a practical and substantial curriculum
as well as material and human resources for effective operation requires
support at the university level.
Finally, in an academic aspect, revitalization of the research in
more diverse areas based on academic needs at an academic level is needed. As
evident in existing disciplines, diverse theories and methodologies above all
else should be developed and revitalized for developing North Korean studies.
As theories and methodologies are developed through cooperation with the
philosophy of science, they will be closely linked to academic curiosity,
thereby generating academic interest and desire. Thus, research not only for
practical purposes, but also for academic needs should be actively conducted by
academics; these efforts can be maximized with appropriate support in the
political and educational aspects mentioned above.
As shown in the
expression of twhether area studies is academic studies and studies on the area
are policy-oriented studies j whether area studies is used for department name
and studies on the area are used for interdisciplinary programsu(ChoÊn 2002, 37), the issue of area studiessidentity is also valid to
North Korean studies. It is important for North Korean studies to have a solid
position as a completely independent discipline. Furthermore, efforts to
resolve different perceptions of the studies of North Korea or reduce
perception gaps in the areass identity among scholars are vital.
It is accepted
that without vigorous qualitative analysis of the research it is difficult to
understand the trends and the meaningfulness of the work that has taken place
thus far. However, it is hoped that both the author and the readers will be in
a better position to carry out such research in the future with this work on
the current state of North Korean studies in Korea. The acceleration of
globalization after the 1990s has also increased interdependency among
countries. Indeed, interdependency among Northeast Asian countries surrounding
the Korean peninsula has strengthened extremely rapidly. With the
internationalization of North Korean issues, the quantitative and qualitative
growth of North Korean studies is increasingly speeding up as if it reflects
the international trends. To establish this area as an independent discipline,
North Korean studies should be academically focused on North Korea itself,
examining the questions related to what it is and why it does, as well as
practically focused research on North Korean issues, such as what it does and
what it should do. These efforts should be based on a serious and comprehensive
discussion about the identity of North Korean studies among researchers
involved in the area.
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Korean Political Science Review Vol. 45 No. 3
زইदইױਤधউࠁ҅ҳ୷ਸೱೞৈ ֙वчزҮളਸबਵ۽
ӣز
زইदই Ҵоٜ ѐ߹ਵ ۽Ҵ धউࠁ ޙઁী ೧ ੋ ଼ਸ х೧ ৳ѐ оҴ߹ٜ धউࠁܳ ഛࠁೞӝ ਤೠ ਬੌೠ ߑউਵ ۽ә
࢚క ҳഅਸ ࢚ೠӒ धա۞উࠁ ਤഈ ؊ ন೧Ҋ ژೠ ӝ ঋ Ҕীࢲ աఋթী ۄٮѐ߹Ҵ о ױਤ Ӕ ؊ য۰ਕҊ חഅपਸ ӵײӝ द೮ౠ ز ֙ইदই
чवׯযࠛীز धউࠁޙઁী ೠ ӝઓ ѐ߹ Ӕߨߑ য়۰
߈ੋ ࣻఆदചঈਸട࢚ חҮളਸ թ҂۞ೠ Үളী ੑпೞৈ زইदই Ҵоبٜ ٜ धউࠁܳ ഛࠁೞӝ ਤೠ ױਤ ҅ܳ ݽ࢝ೞӝ
द೮"15&33 ઁبചח ױਤ धউࠁ ഛࠁܳ ਤೠ ੌࠁೠ ਵ ۽ಣоػदױ҅ী
ח"15&33 оҴ
ٜр ࢚ഐ न܉ܳ ҳ୷ೠ חо ъೞੌ ױ Ҵо ٜрী زইदই ױਤ धউࠁ҅о न܉ೡ ݅ೠ Ѫ חۄഛनਸ बযѱ ݶغ Ӓ زউ ѐ߹ਵ۽
ೞҳ୶ ؍ә ଼ਸ ղ۰֬ਵ۽ॄ ѐ߹Ҵоٜ धউࠁী ೠ ࠗਸ ੌ ࣻ ѱ ؼѪ धযઁউࠁ ഈ۱ زইदই धਤӝ "15&33
ೠҴীࢲ࠘ೠোҳ
ടഅҳোೠ࠘߂ࢿഛ݀ߑউ
ӣਊࣽhҴh࣠೧҃
ҳোࠄ
ח࠘ೠ ࢿਸ ݀ೞӝ ਤೠ ֢۱ ੌജਵ֙ ۽ө ࢲীҴೠ ߊрػ hࢳ
ޙ֤ ࢎ߅ ࠘ೠҙ۲ োҳ ҃ೱ ౠ ਤࣻৈӝҙਸ बਵ ۽ೠ ন ࠙ࢳਸ दبೞ ഝੋ҅ഥ۲ҙҗੋҗബҗ۲ҙҊز ࠘ೠ ߊী ࢜ ۽ ӝഥܳ ઁҕೞҊ ਸ ઁೞҊ ࠄ োҳݢ ח ࠘ೠ োҳ۽ࢲ ઁ Ӕ ߨߑҗ োҳ࠙ঠ ߂ઁ নࢿ ӒܻҊ োҳ hন ߊਸ ഛੋೞҊ ࠘ೠ Ҋೞ݀ഛਸࢿ ޙੋةਵ۽ࢲ ഛҊ ܻݒӣ ೞӝ ਤ೧ࢲ ח ࣁ о ஏݶ ੋ҅ࢲী ֢۱ ਃҳػ૩ ח࠘ೠ ഝࢿച৬ ഛܳ ਤೠ ࠗରਗীࢲ ਗ ل૩
חҙ۲ Үҗҗ ҅ੋ ҙܻܳ ਤೠ Ү ରਗীࢲ ӝੋ ਗ ࣇ૩ חোҳ ࢲীਗରޙੋ ਃҳী ೠ নೠ ࠙ঠী ೠ োҳ ഝࢿച ޖ۱֢ࠁ ਃ ೞҳোਸೠ࠘Ѫೠ ٜ חࢎীࢲ ࠘ೠ ࢿী ೠ ੋध ରܳ ગ
חѪ
ੌ Ѫ
ઁয࠘ೠ ࢿ োҳ ઁ Ӕ ઁр োҳ
[1] ) Just a few years
ago, professional research infrastructures for North Korean studies in South
Korea were relatively insufficient. According to Kimss research, few
think-tanks in South Korea focus on Korean policy issues or include Korea as
part of their overall research activities. Based on information from the World
Directory of Think Tanks (1998 and 2002) of the National Institute for Research
Advancement (NIRA) in Japan, Kim briefly introduced 26 institutions, including
eight in South Korea, 12 in the United States, and others in Sweden, Japan,
Germany, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom (Kim 2003, 193-215).
[2] ) The degree varies
from university to university. Although the department of North Korean studies
in Dongguk University offer a political science degree, the University of North
Korean Studies (formerly known as the Graduate School of North Korean Studies,
Kyungnam University) as well as the Masterss and Doctoral Interdisciplinary
Program in North Korean Studies at Ewha Womans University, the Interdisciplinary
Graduate Program in Korean Unification Studies at Yosei University, and the
Department of North Korean studies in Korea University offer degrees in North
Korean studies (Pukhanhak),
unification (Tongil-Hak), and arts,
respectively.
[3] ) In 1990, the status
of the board was raised to the level of a vice prime ministerial ministry and
it authorized the coordination of policy-related ministries. It was renamed Tongilwo
n (former name, Kuktotongilwo
n), but its English name remained the same. In 1998, under
the government reorganization program, it was renamed the Ministry of
Unification.
[4] ) http://www.riss.kr/index.do. At the time of search, it was at
www.riss4u.net.
[5] ) In the case of books including translations and compilations, the
web search engine used was the National Assembly Libraryss
(http://www.nanet.go.kr) digital library; title and keyword searches were used.
Some books were eliminated from the search results, including data books (e.g.,
handbooks, statistics, glossaries, yearbooks, white papers, and regular
reports), propaganda publications from government agencies and public
corporations, travelogues, memoirs, conference proceedings, and commemorative
collections. Search words used are the same as those in the dissertation case.
[6] ) In the case of journal articles, web search engines used were the
Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS) provided by Korean Studies
Information Co., Ltd., available at http://search.koreanstudies.net, and DBpia
provided by Nurimedia Co., Ltd., available at http://www.dbpia.co.kr; title and
keyword search options were used. Some articles were eliminated from the search
results, such as conference papers and posters, [research] series, book
chapters, newsletter articles, data-books, and case-books. Search words used
are the same as those in the dissertation case.
[7] ) These include graduate schools of education, public
administration, public health, journalism and mass communication, law,
economics, public affairs, peace studies, business and administration, national
strategy, arts, policy, unification policy, peace and security, policy development,
unification, social development, railroad science and technology, sports and
leisure studies, agricultural and animal science, regional development,
international strategy, international cooperation, real estate studies,
logistics, industrial art, trade, mass communication, digital culture, public
administration and policy, policy sciences, NGO, education policy, sports
science, social and cultural studies, tourism, public administration local
autonomy, newspaper, economic policy, urban science, social education,
Christian care and counseling, architecture and urban design, government and
business, and national defense strategy. In Korea, special graduate schoolssnames
follow current trends, such as the Graduate School of Social and Cultural Studies
at Hanman University (previously called the Graduate School of Regional
Development).
[8] ) These include the Korea National Defense University (former name,
National Defense College), University of North Korean Studies, Academy of
Korean Studies, Korea National University of Education, International Graduate
University for Peace, and some theological universities such as Seoul
Theological Universities and the Asian Center for Theological Studies and
Mission.
[9] ) These include graduate schools of international studies,
theology, information, communication (and art), social welfare, business, law,
politics (and leadership), unification and security, social science, small
business, engineering, economics and commerce, international trade, lifelong
education, (world) mission, and politics and economics.
[10] ) Debates have consistently focused on the current situation,
problems, and identity of area studies in South Korea, led by the
International
Association of Area Studies (IAAS, International Area Studies Review), the
Korean Association of Area Studies (KAAS, Korean Journal of Area Studies), and
others. The problems of theory, methodology, and identity impact North Korean
studies.
[11] ) Basically, area studies focus on analyzing twhat,uwhile
comparative studies focus on thow to analyzeu(Zahariadis 1997, 3-4).
[12] ) To learn about the politics in a nation or region, researchers in
political science have to seek to master its history, languages, economy, etc.,
as well. Within social sciences, researchers in area studies are
multidisciplinary, especially in political science (Bates 1997, 166).
[13] ) In this sense, an expert in North Korean politics or an expert in
North Korean economy is the proper name rather than an expert in North Korea.
[14] ) For more information about the educational institutions, research
institutes, and scholarly associations and journals, see Lim et al. (2009,
245-62).
[15] ) This is based on data from their homepages and academic
information sites. Available at http://nk.dongguk.edu and http://gs.dongguk.edu
about Dongguk University, http://home.ewha.ac.kr/~nk21 and
http://graduate.ewha.ac.kr about Ewha Womans University, http://nknology.korea.ac.kr
and http://graduate.korea.ac.kr/nok_01.htm about Korea University,
http://web.yonsei.ac.kr/ikus1/index.htm and http://graduate.yonsei.ac.kr about
Yonsei University, and http://www.nk.ac.kr about the University of North Korean
Studies.

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