KF뉴스레터-Developing Korean Studies in Latin America

Developing Korean Studies in Latin America

On July 14, 2005, the International Center for Korean Studies, Institute of Korean Culture, Korea University, organized an International Forum on Korean Studies. I had the opportunity to introduce some ideas regarding the challenges facing Latin American scholars in developing Korean Studies in Latin America.
It is true that a growing number of people are now showing an interest in studying about Korea in Latin America. Better yet, most of the newcomers are junior-senior level undergraduate students or young professionals.
From a broader perspective, there has also been rising interest in East Asia in general in Latin America, not only in the economics field but also in other areas of social sciences, thanks mostly to the growing presence of Asian companies and their products.
However, considering the geographical distance, degree of cultural affinity, historical experiences, political relations, and economic exchanges between Korea and Latin America, developing Korean Studies in Latin America represents a formidable challenge, as all of these factors are not conducive to promoting Korean Studies in this region.
Therefore, it is necessary for all of us who are involved with the promotion of Korean Studies, and the people in the government as well as private sectors to make more efforts to greater interest in Korean Studies, as well as Korea and the Korean people, in Latin America through enhanced academic, economic and cultural exchanges on every level.

Korean Studies in Latin America and Argentina
Two years ago, in October 2003, the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, organized the first Latin American Congress on Korean Studies. In the final session of the congress, we agreed to a network of Koreanists. In 2004, the Association for Korean Studies of Argentina (AAEC) was founded, which has since organized many different activities to promote Korean Studies and enhance understanding about Korea in Argentina.
AAEC has been growing steadily. In June, the First Congress for Korean Studies organized by the University of Rosario was held in Buenos Aires, which included the participation of more than 100 students, professionals, and businesspeople, along with the presentation of more than 40 papers.
This October, Mexico will host the Second Latin American Congress on Korean Studies, which will be followed by a discussion on the feasibility of creating a Latin American Academy for Korean Studies.
Institutional development of the LAAEC will need assistance from those individuals and institutions which are already committed to the development of Korean Studies. Major universities in the region have their own area of East Asian studies, including some specialists on Korean Studies. They regularly organize Korea-related courses, seminars, conferences and other academic activities, albeit on a somewhat limited scale.
Among the major academic institutions in Latin America, the Colegio de Mexico offers the longest-standing postgraduate program on Korean Studies in the region, with a strong emphasis on language training. The UNAM also has a long tradition of Korean Studies. In the case of the University of Guadalajara, East Asian studies is a relatively new development. In Cuba, the Centro de Estudios de Asia y Oceania plays an important role in that region. Brazil has many scholars who specialize in Korea at the universities of Rio Grande do Sul, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and of Parana in Maringa. Peruvian universities - like the Catholic or the San Marcos - have seen progress in the fields of culture, literature, and economic studies. Chile has the University of Chile and the University of Santiago, and an increasing number of professionals interested in Korea after the creation of a bilateral FTA with Korea. Colombia is also a country with a growing number of people involved in this field, as is the case with the University Externado.
The leading institutions in Argentina include the University of Cordoba specializing in history and society; the University of Buenos Aires, Korean immigration history and society; the University of Rosario, international relations; the University del Salvador, religion and culture; and the University of La Plata, business, regional politics, economics, and international relations. In August 2005, the University of Buenos Aires, with the support of the Korea Foundation, will launch its Center for Korean Culture.
Korea and Latin America share many similarities in terms of political and economic development. One Korean observer noted: Not many people in Latin American know Korea had a colonial experience, that there were military dictatorships followed by human rights violations, that Korea had a financial crisis, or that the country maintained an economic-development-first policy." If you substitute Latin America for Korea, the foregoing would still be applicable.
Definitely, there are meaningful similarities between Korea and Latin America in terms of their historical development that has deeply affected our societies and influenced many generations of Koreans and Latin Americans. As such, there is now more than enough material to delve into. These significant similarities are not very well known to both peoples, a fact that can serve as an incentive to launch comparative studies.
From cinema to sports, the people in Latin America are now showing a growing interest in Korea. "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring" directed by Kim Ki-duk was a big hit all over the region, indicating a keen interest in Korean films, which were shown during special exhibitions organized in Buenos Aires, Mexico City, and other capitals.
The cinematographic tradition in Latin America is strong as well, while sports, especially soccer, are an essential part of our lives. In 2002, we all visited Korea, if only through telecasts, to enjoy the World Cup Finals.

Positive Factors and Obstacles to Overcome
There are still many difficulties in expanding Korean Studies in Latin America. The major negative factors include: first, a lack of overall interest - the number of people who are devoted to Asian studies, in general, and to Korean studies, in particular, remains limited, and material resources are also scarce; second, difficulties in communication - ability to use both Korean and Spanish on both sides needs much improvement, and students do not regard learning the Korean language as a useful tool for their career; third, lack of funding - resources for Korean Studies are minimal, which means that support from various Korean institutions (like the Korea Foundation and Korea Research Foundation) are essential for the development of Korean Studies in Latin America; and fourth, low profile in economic exchanges - trade and investment flows between the two regions seem to be of little importance to Korea - while after the 1997 financial crisis, many Korean companies closed their businesses in the region and concentrated their activities in other markets.
But there are also some positive factors: first, no significant disputes - no historical, territorial, or political conflicts exist between Korea and Latin America, and two-way relations are based on an equal footing; second, positive role of Korean immigrants - over the last 50 years an increasing number of Koreans have been emigrating to Latin America; third, the hallyu, or Korean wave - an increasing presence of Korean art and culture, including movies and TV dramas such as Winter Sonata.

Conclusion
The similarities between our two regions in historical experiences and the shared values of democracy, human rights, and economic development represent a solid foundation from which to promote further understanding. Not only academic endeavors but also a variety of other cooperative initiatives can thus be undertaken.
In addition, we should a common agenda at the private as well as official level, with support being extended by both the public and private sectors.
Three stages of cooperation are needed to pave the way for closer academic cooperation between Korea and Latin American countries: first, cooperation at the governmental level; second, through closer cooperation between the private industries and the academic institutions of both sides; and third, closer cooperation between Latin American academic institutions with an interest in Korean Studies. The first two may be difficult to achieve but the third is a realistic possibility.
We are still far from being satisfied with the current status of Korean Studies in Latin America; therefore hard work, patience, and new initiatives are essential to achieve our common goal of further expanding Korean Studies in Latin America.

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Developing Korean Studies in Latin America

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