Center for Korean Studies

Seed Program for Korean Studies (Advanced Track)

• Project Title: Connecting & Leading the Institutions of Korean Studies in Central Europe + Research on Korean Diaspora 
• Project Period: 1. 6. 2022-31. 5. 2027
• Project Director: KANG Byoung Yoong
• Co-researcher: Chikako SHIGEMORI BUČAR, Nataša VISOČNIK Gerželj, RYU Hyeonsook
• Expert: Eva VUČKOVIČ (University of Ljubljana)

AKS Korean Studies Grant: Educational and Cultural Program

• Project Title: Korean Studies Days in Slovenia
• Project Director: KANG Byoung Yoong
• Project Period: 1. 2. 2022-31. 1. 2023
• Co-researcher: Nataša VISOČNIK GERZELJ, Eva VUČKOVIČ

AKS Korean Studies Grant: Scholarly Publication

• Project Title: Korean Language from the Functional Perspective
• Project Period: 1. 2. 2022-31. 1. 2023
• Project Director: Andrej BEKEŠ
• Co-researcher: KANG Byoung Yoong, RYU Hyeonsook, Eva VUČKOVIČ, Maša ŽBOGAR

AKS Korean Studies Grant: Translation Project for the Overseas Korean Studies Monograph

• Project Title: Translation and Publication of Koreans in Central Europe
• Project Period: 1. 2. 2019-31. 1. 2021
• Project Director: KANG Byoung Yoong
• Co-researcher: CHANG Minyoung

Seed Program for Korean Studies (Beginning Track-2^nd step)

• Project Title: Further Development of Korean Studies in Ljubljana - new subjects and textbook publication
• Project Director: Andrej BEKEŠ
• Project Period: 1. 7. 2015-30. 6. 2018
• Co-researcher: Blaž KRIŽNIK, Chikako SHIGEMORI BUČAR, KAWK Bumo, Nataša VISOČNIK, KANG Byoung Yoong, LEE Min-heui, LEE Yong

Seed Program for Korean Studies (Beginning Track-1^st step)

• Project title: Establishment of Korean Studies in Ljubljana
• Project Director: Andrej BEKEŠ
• Project Period: 1. 7. 2012-30. 6. 2015
• Co-researcher: Chikako SHIGEMORI BUCAR, Jana ROŠKER, LEE Yong, Mitja SAJE
• Expert: KANG Byoung Yoong

Establishment of Korean Studies at the Department of Asian Studies

2023/24: establishment of the Chair of Korean Studies

2015/16: establishment of the undergraduate study programme (BA) of Korean Studies at the Department of Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana. The curriculum consists of Modern Korean I, II, III and socio-cultural subjects, such as Korean Literature, Korean Society, Korean History, Korean Tradition etc.

2012/13: financially supported by the Academy of Korean Studies, a visiting professor for Korean literature, KANG Byoung Yoong PhD joins the Department of Asian Studies

2009/2010: establishment of Korean Studies as a part of BA (Bologna) study programme Cultures of East Asia

2008/09 to 2017: financially supported by the Korea Foundation, a visiting professor of Korean language teaches three levels of the Korean Language I, II, and III, which offer the foundation for the establishment of Korean Studies

2003/04: the start of teaching Korean language as a facultative subject by RYU Hyeonsook

2023

• November 22 – 4^th Korean poetry writing contest
  • Award winners: Ana GOLOB, Klaudija LUKMAN, Ita PLOTAJS, Nastja PRIJATELJ and Mia ŠARIĆ
• November 22 – best undergraduate diploma thesis in Korean studies
  • “Študija o angleškem izobraževanju v Južni Koreji: focus na zasebnem šolstvu” by Karin PETERLIN
  • “Filozofska analiza posmrtnega očiščevalnega rituala Ssigimgut v korejskem šamanizmu” by Tamara PODOLSKI
• November 11 – Korean Literature Translators Forum in Ljubljana
• November 6 and 10 – special lectures "Living and Working in Korea" and "Korean Tradition and Modernity" prof. Nahm Keeboma (University of Seoul)
• November 6 – seminar on Korean Studies titled Korean Stories within and beyond Korea – Expansion and Prospects of the Korean Diaspora
  • Special lecture “The Disappearing Diaspora – Social Change, Humor, and the Representation of Korean-Chinese Cultural Identity“ by Jerome de Witt (University of Vienna)
  • Special lecture “Exploring the Magic of Korean Folktales – focusing on 'The story of setting out on the road – 구복 (Gubok) 여행 (Journey)'“ by Kang Sungsook (Inje University)
  • Special lecture “Yeom Sang-seop's Post-liberation Novels: A Memoir of Diaspora in Exile“ by Rajesh Kumar (Seoul National University)
• October 27 – assist. Eva Vučkovič wins the 1st prize (the graduate student category) at the 2^nd International Academic Olympiad of Korean Studies for Central Eurasian Students at Istanbul University and receives the Rector's Prize with a presentation on “Webtoon and Korean Studies: Webtoon’s History and Application in Korean Language Learning”
• October 26 and 27 – attendance at The 6^th International Academic Conference of Korean Studies in Central Eurasia: The Future of Korean Studies Education at the Istanbul University by prof. dr. Nataša VISOČNIK GERŽELJ and prof. dr. KANG Byoung Yoong
  • Special lecture “Negotiating Identities of Koreans Returning from Japan: Diaspora at Home?“ by Nataša Visočnik Gerželj (University of Ljubljana)
  • Special lecture “한민족 디아스포라가 만든 모자의 비극, 앨리스 현과 웰링턴 정” by Kang Byoung Yoong (Unversity of Ljubljana)
• October 18 – special lecture “A Mysterious Writer, Kim Seung-ok“ by prof. Cateline Stanciu (Unversity of Bucharest)
• September 11 – opening ceremony of King Sejong Institute in Ljubljana
• June 14 and 15 – attendance at 1^st Korean Literature and Translation Forum for Korean Studies in Europe held at Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany by assist. Eva Vučkovič
  • Special lecture "Translation Challenges: Example of Ko Un’s Poetry" by Eva Vučkovič (University of Ljubljana)
• June 26 – attendance at an International Conference at the University of Split by prof. dr. KANG Byoung Yoong
  • Special lecture “Between Henry Park and Rahel Varnhagen (A Study on Chang-Rae Lee's Novel Native Speaker)” by Kang Byoung Yoong (Unversity of Ljubljana)
• June 15 – special lecture “Current Status of Korean Studies in Slovenia and Diaspora Literature” at the Inha University by prof. dr. KANG Byoung Yoong
• June 8 – special lecture “Koreans and Koreanness” at the Ajou University by prof. dr. KANG Byoung Yoong
• June 2 – translation workshop by prof. dr. KANG Byoung Yoong at the University of Vienna
• May 25 – 6^th symposium of the Department of Asian Studies
• May 25 – 1^st Ljubljana Korean studies essay contest, theme: Korean economy
• May 18 – best undergraduate diploma thesis in Korean studies
  • “Kimčhi kot nacionalni simbol Republike Koreje” by Ema ČERNELČ
  • “Primerjava uporabe vljudnostnih nivojev hasipsioche in haeyoche na primeru učbenikov Seoul National” by Klaudija LUKMAN
• April 17 and 18 – special lectures by writer Jeong Yorang
• April 14 – International Conference (ICKL) Korean and Asian diaspora
  • Special lecture “Living Zainichi as an Exile: Kim Sijong’s Unfinished Revolution” by Kwak Hyoung-Duck (Myongji University)
  • Special lecture “Between Diaspora and Multiculturalism: Searching for the Identity of 1.5 generation Koreans in Vancouver, Canada” by Dongjin Lee (Kyungpook National University)
  • Special lecture “Korean Repatriation from Japan – Diaspora at Home?” by Nataša Visočnik Gerželj (University of Ljubljana)
  • Special lecture “Christian Missionary Work in Wonsan” by Chikako Shigemori Bučar (University of Ljubljana)
  • Special lecture “A Case Study of Korean Diaspora in Austria” by Sun Young Yun (University of Vienna)
  • Special lecture “Daily Life and Custom Changes of Koreans Residing in Hungary” by Ramona Fajkuszne Kovacs (Eötvös Loránd University)
  • Special lecture “Urban Legends, Jokes, and Anecdotes Circulating Among the Korean Diaspora in Austria Around the Turn of the Millennium” by Andreas Schirmer (Palacky University)
  • Special lecture “Communication and Coexistence To Live For Today in TV Drama Pachinko” by Kim Youngsung (University of Bucharest)
  • Special lecture “Representations of Diaspora and Vulnerability in Lee Min Jin’s Parvenu” by Catalina Stanciu Gorucu (University of Bucharest)
  • Special lecture “Henry from Chang-Rae Lee’s Novel “Native Speaker”: Between Pariah and Parvenu” by Kang Byoung Yoong (University of Ljubljana)
• April 1 – Korean Saturday organised by elementary school of Tomo Brejc in Kamnik
• March 16 – April 6 – Exhibition: East Asian Poetry Through the Eyes and Ears
  • March 30 – literary evening »Berimo skupaj korejsko poezijo«
• February 27 – student club Saebyeol meeting, talking about the exchange program in Korea
• January 20 – Korean lecture at the elementary school Vojka Šmuc in Izola
• January 5 – cinema night with movie Decision to leave (Park Chan-wook) in Kinodvor, Ljubljana

2022

• December 25 – 3^rd Korean poetry writing contest
• December 8 – special lecture “Misunderstanding of Our Koreans” at the Edutus University by prof. dr. KANG Byoung Yoong
• December 7 – Korean lecture at the elementary school Tomo Brejc in Kamnik
• November 25 – International Conference (ICKL) Korean Studies in Slovenia: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
  • special lecture “Korean Language Education in Europe and ‘Globalization’ (?) of Korean” by Yeon Jaehoon (SOAS University of London, The Academy of Korean Studies)
  • special lecture “History of East Asian Studies in Slovenia” by Mateja Petrovčič (University of Ljubljana)
  • special lecture “Changes with Korean Language Learners’ Characteristics at the University of Ljubljana” by Ryu Hyeonsook (University of Ljubljana)
  • special lecture “Korean Studies in Slovenia: Areas of Interest” by Chikako Shigemori Bučar in Nataša Visočnik Gerželj (University of Ljubljana)
  • special lecture “A Textbook on Korean Modern Literature for Slovenian Learners” by Kang Byoung Yoong (University of Ljubljana)
  • special lecture “Korean Language from a Functional Point of View” by Andrej Bekeš (University of Ljubljana)
  • special lecture “Korean Literature Translation and Translation Workshop in Slovenia” by Eva Vučkovič (University of Ljubljana)
  • special lecture “East Asia Resource Library at the University of Ljubljana” by Mirjam Kotar (University of Ljubljana)
  • special lecture “Korean Studies in Hungary” by Kim Bogook (East Asian Research Centre, National Archives of Hungary)
  • special lecture “Korean Language Education in the United States of America” by Sang-Seok Yoon (University of Iowa)
  • special lecture “Word Order and Characteristics of Sentence Constituents’ Movements in Korean” by Maša Žbogar (Yonsei University)
  • special lecture “Sustainable Tourism in Sokcho: Korean and International Students’ Travel Behaviour” by Blažka Rupnik (Seoul National University)
  • special lecture “Korean-English Musical Translation” by Katja Zupanič (Keimyung University)
• November 10 – first meeting of Korean studies student union Saebyeol
• November 7 – special lecture “Landscapes in Korean Stories” by prof. dr. KANG Byoung Yoong at the University of Sofia
• October 20 – 21– attendance at The 21^st International Conference of CEESOK (Central and Eastern Society of Koreanology) at Erciyes University by prof. dr. KANG Byoung Yoong
  • special lecture “Kim Sa-ryang's Literary Diaspora Literature” by Kang Byoung Yoong (University of Ljubljana)
• October 20 and 27 – special lectures “Children’s books” by writer Park Hyomi
• October 19 – special lecture “Korean Literature” at the Kazan Federal University by prof. dr. KANG Byoung Yoong
• October 17 and 19 – lectures on Korean Cinema by prof. Kim Chung Kang (Hanyang University)
• October 15 – special lecture “Ljubljana & Literature for Children” at the Yonsei University by prof. dr. KANG Byoung Yoong
• October 4 – special lecture “Korea Interpreted by a Korean Ajeossi” at the University of Iowa by prof. dr. KANG Byoung Yoong
• September 29 – Korean lecture by Klara Kavčnik and Klaudija Lukman on the Day of Language at the elementary school Vodman in Ljubljana
• Fall semester 2022/23 – Korean lectures by prof. dr. Ryu Hyeonsook at the Juraj Dorbila University of Pula
• August 30–31– international conference EAKLE 2022 9th Biennial Workshop of the European Association for Korean Language Education at the Palacky University
  • special lecture “Theresa Hak Kyung Cha. Diaspora. Transmedia” by Kang Byoung Yoong (University of Ljubljana)
  • special lecture “A Project for Making Korean Language Exercise Bank Creation using Moodle” by Ryu Hyeonsook (University of Ljubljana)
  • special lecture “Webtoon in Korean Language class for beginners” by Eva Vučkovič (University of Ljubljana)
• August 19 – attendance at The International Conference on East-Asian Koreanology 2022 at Inha University by prof. dr. KANG Byoung Yoong
  • special lecture “Foundation and Development of Korean Studies in Slovenia and Russia” by Kang Byoung Yoong (Univerza v Ljubljani)
  • special lecture “Thoughts and Genealogy of Korean Studies in the World” by Kang Byoung Yoong (Univerza v Ljubljani)
• July 13 – special lecture “Creative Writing” at the University of Seoul by prof. dr. KANG Byoung Yoong
• June 17 – special lecture “Naša Koreja, moja Koreja” at the closing ceremony of the King Sejong Institute by prof. dr. Chikako SHIGEMORI BUČAR

2021

• November 12 – The 6^th International Korean Writing Contest at Babeș-Bolyai University (Romania); The First Prize (Klaudija LUKMAN), and The Third Prize (Hana KUŽNAR)
• September 23 – The 5^th International Korean Speech Contest at Babeș-Bolyai University (Romania); The First Prize (Klaudija LUKMAN), and The Second Prize (Patricija RADOSAVAC)
• May 7-8 – SHIGEMORI BUČAR, Chikako. Maritime, Christianity and Adventure : Slovenian Discovery of Korea : lecture at The First International Conference of “East and West in Korean Studies” Project Cultural Exchanges between Korea and the West: Artifacts and Intangible Heritage Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
• The Bachelor’s Thesis »Projaponske aktivnosti in nacionalizem Korejca Yi Gwang-suja skozi njegovo življenje in delo (Pro-Japanese Activities and Nationalism of the Korean Intellectual Yi Gwang-su through his Life and Works)« by Nataša HOČEVAR is awarded with the “Dean’s Award 2020/21” by the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana

2020

• December 9–10 – International Workshop of the Department of Asian Studies (Korean Studies) “Diaspora and Koreanness in World Literature” at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana
  • December 10:
    • Special lecture “Self-representation in diaspora: Zanichi Koreans and literature” by Nataša Visočnik Gerželj (University of Ljubljana)
    • Special lecture “Winter in Sokcho, The Pachinko Marbles” by writer Elisa Shua Dusapin (France/Switzerland)
    • Special lecture “A K-drama of My Own” by writer Marina Carvalho (Brazil)
  • December 9:
    • Special lecture “A Hundred Years of Solitude and Struggle: Zainichi Korean Writers in Japan” by Kwak Hyoungduck PhD (Myongji University, South Korea)
    • Special lecture “A Native Speaker’s Language vs. a Stranger’s Language” by Kang Byoung Yoong (University of Ljubljana)
    • Special lecture “Webtoons created by the Korean diaspora” by Eva Vučkovič (University of Ljubljana)

• November – Korean Writing Contest (organized by the Korean Embassy in Vienna)
  • Winners:
    
    – Hana SADOVIĆ
    
    – Marina ČANČAR
    
    – Larisa BRIC
    
    – Karina MYRONOVA
    
    – Jasmin BUTKOVIČ
    
    – Tamara PODOLSKI
    
    – Ema ČERNELČ
• October 6 – The 8^th Korean Speech Contest in Slovenia via ZOOM (Themes: “Corona and……”)
• January 6 – Special lecture “Zombie Affect: The State of Korean Zombie Apocalypse” by Bok Do-hun PhD
• 2020 Awarded Bachelor’s Thesis: »Sestavljeni povedki oblike V-V z glagoloma premikanja kata in ota v korejskem jeziku / 한국어 복합 서술어 ‘V아/어 + 가다/오다’. (Korean V-V complex predicates with motion verbs kata and ota)« by Katja ZUPANČIČ is awarded with the “Dean’s Award 2019/20” by the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana
• SHIGEMORI BUČAR, Chikako. Alma Karlin in Korea : observation of the land and its people by an adventurer from Slovenia. V: SCHIRMER, Andreas (ur.). Koreans and Central Europeans. Vol. 3, Informal contacts up to 1950. Vienna: Praesens Verlag, cop. 2020. Str. 207-222, ilustr. ISBN 978-3-7069-1105-4, ISBN 3-70-691105-1.

2019

• December 27 – (2020 January 20) – One month cultural-study exchange of BA students from Keimyung University, Daegu, in Ljubljana
• November 11–18  – Special Lectures about the Korean Literature “The Strangers 이방인들,” and “Chinese Cabinet 중국식 옷장” by writer Hwang Hyejung (ARKO)
• November 8 – The 7^th Korean Speech Contest in Slovenia (sponsored by the Korean Embassy in Vienna) at the Faculty of Arts (Themes: “Things That Make Me Happy,” or “Things That Make Me Sad”)
• November 8 – Special Lecture »Situation in the Korean Peninsula« by SHIN Chae-hyun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Slovenia and Austria, at the Faculty of Arts
• September 6 – Middle and East Europe Sungkyun Korean Writing in Tashkentu (Winners: Katarina DIMNIK, and Nuša JELEK)
• July 30 – Published article in ALA, « 2019, CHANG & SHIGEMORI BUČAR
• May 30  – Special Lecture “Korean Food and History 한국 음식과 역사” by YUN Sun Young PhD (University of Vienna)
• May 10 – Special Lecture “Korean Food and Culture 한국 음식과 문화” by YUN Sun Young PhD (University of Vienna)
• May 9 – Special Lecture “Understanding Korean Food 한국 음식의 이해” by YUN Sun Young PhD (University of Vienna)
• April 23-25 – The 1^st International Student Workshop with University of Lancashire
• March 22– The 4^th International Korean Speech Contest at Babeș-Bolyai University (Romania) (Winners: Katja ZUPANČIČ, and Blažka RUPNIK)
• February 28 and March 14 – Days of Korean Studies at EARL, Korea Corner, Faculty of Social Sciences
  • March 14 
    • Special lecture “The Intercultural Dimensions of Confucianism: Taiwanese Studies of Dasan Jeong Yakyong (茶山丁若鏞) 유교의 다문화적 관점: 대만학의 다산 정약용” by Jana ROŠKER PhD
    • Special lecture “Confucianism in Korea: its influence on modern day South Korea 한국의 유교: 현대 한국에 미친 영향” by Choe Jeong-u 최정우
  • February 28 
    • Special lecture “Korean Picture-Postcards Archived in the Republic of Slovenia 슬로베니아에서 발견된 한국 관련 그림 엽서” by Chikako SHIGEMORI BUČAR PhD
    • Special lecture “Overcoming patriarchy in South Korean Society 한국 사회의 가부장제 극복” by Codrute SINTIONEAN PhD of Babeș-Bolyai University (Romania)
• January 18 – Special lecture “Laibach, North Korea and South Koreans” at the Faculty of Arts
• RYU, Hyeonsook, SHIGEMORI BUČAR, Chikako. Korejščina v Sloveniji. V: BALAŽIC BULC, Tatjana (ur.), et al. Poti in stranpoti poučevanja tujih jezikov v Sloveniji. 1. izd. Ljubljana: Znanstvena založba Filozofske fakultete, 2019. Str. 131-137, ilustr. ISBN 978-961-06-0278-1. 
• SHIGEMORI BUČAR, Chikako. Korean Picture-Postcards Archived in the Republic of Slovenia. Studia orientalia Slovaca. 2019, 18, 2, str. [133]-163, ilustr. ISSN 1336-3786.

2018

• December 28 – (2019 January 25) – One month cultural-study exchange of BA students from Keimyung University, Daegu, in Ljubljana
• November 19 – The 6^th Korean Speech Contest in Slovenia (sponsored by the Korean Embassy in Vienna) at EARL (Themes: Memory, Gift, or Party)
• November 9 – Middle and East Europe Sungkyun Korean Writing Contest in Vienna (Winners: Blažka RUPNIK, and Katja OREHOVEC)
• May 10 – Special lecture “The Slovenia-Korea Relations” by SHIN Dong-ik, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Slovenia and Austria, at the Faculty of Arts
• April 20 – Special lecture “A Long Journey of the Korean Diaspora in the Former Soviet Union” by LEE Chaimun PhD at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana
• April 19 – Special lecture “North Korea: An Introduction” by Yvone Schulz PhD of Hamburg University
• April 18 – Special lecture “Social Change in the Land of Morning Calm, Korea” by LEE Chaimun PhD of Kyungpook National University, at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana
• February 14 – 22 – Special lectures on Korean Art an Caligraphy by the visiting professor LEE Hye-Seung MA from Wrocław University, Poland
• January 3 – 18 Special lectures in cooperation with exchange students of Keimyung University
• OGAWA, Yoshimi, SHIGEMORI BUČAR, Chikako. A Korean who taught Japanese in 1930s Vienna : Do Cyong-ho (To Yu-ho) : (based on Finish and Japanese sources). V: SCHIRMER, Andreas (ur.). Koreans in Central Europe : informal contacts up to 1950 : Vol. 2. Wienna: Praesens, 2018. Str. 33-44, ilustr. Wiener Beiträge zur Korenforschung, Bd. 5, Vol. 5. ISBN 978-3-7069-0980-8./
•  

2017

• December 27 – (2018 January 25) – One month cultural-study exchange of BA students from Keimyung University, Daegu, in Ljubljana
• November 22 – 25 – Attendance at Daegu Keimyung University International Symposium by prof. Chikako SHIGEMORI BUČAR PhD and doc. KANG Byoung Yoong PhD
• November 22 – Signing the Agreement of Research Exchange between Centre for Korean Studies, University of Ljubljana and Centre for Korean Studies, Korea University
• November 16 – Signing the Agreement for Academic Research and Cooperation between Centre for Korean studies, Department of Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, and Centre for Korean Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of Latvia
• November 16 – The 5^th Korean Speech Contest in Slovenia, at EARL, Korea Corner, Faculty of Social Sciences
• May 23 and 31 – Special lectures by Korean writer POO Heeryoung at the Faculty of Arts, with the kind support of LTI
• May 13 – Spring Kimbap Day, a cultural event hosted by Korean Students’ Association ( Koreanistično društvo Dajeong)
• May 5 and 6 – The 5^th Korean International Symposium: “Literature and Translation”
• March 6, 10 and 17 – Days of Korean Studies at EARL, Korea Corner, Faculty of Social Sciences
• March 6 – Opening of Korea Corner EARL (East Asian Resource Library) at the Faculty of Social Sciences in Ljubljana

2016

• December 21 – A special lecture by a Korean actor, KWON Jungtack
• December 9 and 14 – A special lecture by a Korean writer, SHIN Youngson “Antique Korea and Art”, supported kindly by LTI
• November 17-20 – The 2^nd Korean Film Days (Kino Bežigrad) sponsored by the Korean Embassy in Vienna
• November 17 – The 4^th Korean Speech Contest in Slovenia
• August – visit of a Korean poet and a nominee for Nobel Price for Literature, KO Un. During his stay, he also attended the event “Poetry and Wine Days”, with the help of Literature Translation Institute of Korea and Beletrina Publishing Company
• August – Publishing the first translated work from Korean into Slovene, a collection of poems by KO Un “Pišem v zrak”, translated by KANG Byoung Yoong PhD, Aleš ŠTEGER and Eva VUČKOVIČ
• May 25 – A special lecture in Cankarjev Dom by KANG Byoung Yoong PhD – Evening of Modern Korean Poetry
• May 9 – A special lecture by KIM Youngsung PhD, a foreign professor at Qingdao University of technology and a radio scriptwriter (of KBS, CBS, TJB and TBN)
• May 6-7 – The 4^th Korean International Symposium “Teaching Materials to Promote Korean and East Asian Studies in Central Europe”
• March – Establishment of Korean Studies Students’ Association “Koreanistično društvo Dajeong” at the Faculty of Arts (representative Mojca NOVAK)
• March (to June 2017) – full-time visiting professor supported by Korea Foundation

2015

• November 24 – The 3^rd Korean Speech Contest in Slovenia
• November (to January 2016) –  A special visit by a Korean poet KIM Yideum, kindly supported by LTI
• November 24-26 – The 1^st Korean Film Days, kindly sponsored by the Embassy of Republic of Korea in Vienna
• May 8-9 – The 3^rd Korean International Symposium “Religions in Korea and East Asia”

2014

• December 12 – The 2^nd Korean Speech Contest
• October 1 – Start of Cultures of East Asia – Korean Studies double-major study program at the undergraduate level 2014/2015
• January 20 – The 1^st Korean Speech Contest in Slovenia

At the Department of Asian Studies at the Faculty of Arts, students at the undergraduate level can choose the double major program of Korean Studies. In the coming academic year 2024/25, 16 places are advertised for full-time studies.

Since the program is relatively new, we provide answers to some of the more frequently asked questions below. For additional questions, you can contact us at koreanistika@ff.uni-lj.si.

What does it mean that the course of study is a double major?

When choosing a double major, it is mandatory to choose another double major. You can decide for e.g., double major history, Japanese studies, German, English, etc., but you cannot decide on a combination of single major psychology and double major Korean studies. You can ask more about what options are available to you at the information days or on the FF website.

How long does the study take?

The Korean studies program lasts three years. The study program is currently only offered at the undergraduate level. After completing your study obligations and successfully defending your thesis, you will receive the title of B.Sc. cult. East of Asia (UN) - majoring in Korean Studies. At the moment, it is not yet possible to study a master's degree in Slovenia.

What are the entry restrictions?

General conditions apply to the restriction of enrollment: 40% overall success in the 3rd and 4th year and 60% success in the general matriculation.

According to the ratio of advertised and filled places, Korean Studies is the most popular study course at the Faculty of Arts, along with Psychology, Japanese Studies and English Studies. There are usually 16 vacancies for full-time studies, which are not sufficient for the demand. Every third year, addition is not possible. In the upcoming academic year of 2024/25, enrollment is possible.

Is prior knowledge of Korean necessary to study?

No prior knowledge of Korean is necessary, the study of Korean Studies is designed to start with learning Hangeul.

What can I expect from three years of study?

The aim of the study is not only to learn about distant cultures and languages, but also to develop an in-depth and critical approach to the topics discussed. Language is a tool that helps us discover another culture, society and history. By researching these, we get to know ourselves and our culture.

During the three years of study, in addition to the language courses Modern Korean 1, 2 and 3, cultural courses, Korean literature 1 and 2, Korean society, Korean history, Korean tradition are taught, and we also offer guest lectures by foreign academics e.g., Korean art, and special lectures on current topics that we also face in class.

Where can I get study material?

You will get most of the information about the study material that will be used in a certain year, at the introductory lectures in the first days of October. The biggest cost is usually textbooks for language subjects, which you will be informed about via email before the start of the academic year. The previous textbooks were in Korean and English, for e.g., Modern Korean 1 uses the textbook I LOVE KOREAN 1 and 2 (사랑해요 한국어 1, 2) in 2023/24.

Tell me more about study exchanges, please.

The study program you are getting to know is related to a distant culture, so it is recommended that you dedicate some time to an exchange at one of the partner universities of the University of Ljubljana. You can attend one-month language schools, or you can opt for longer exchanges lasting one or two semesters.

1. SOUTH KOREA

Every year, 5 to 10 students participate in the exchange. Universities offering exchange:

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), Seoul or Global Campus Yongin

Chung-Ang University, Seoul

Hanbat National University, Daejeon

Sogang University, Seoul

Kyungyung University, Busan

Kyung Hee University, Seoul

Inha University, Incheon

Dankook University, Yongin ali Chungnam

You can find out more regarding exchanges at the informative lectures that take place every year at the beginning of the academic year. An exchange would be suitable in the second or third year or during the graduate year (additional year). Before going on an exchange, you must settle with professors which subjects and how many credit points will be recognized at your home university. In addition, do not forget that the study of Korean Studies is a double major, so you must pay attention to the obligations required of you in the other chosen field of study. The most important thing is the experience, which members of the Korean Studies Student Union Saebyeol (새별) or Korean Union Dajeong (다정) will tell you more about.

1. CEEPUS PROGRAM

You can also apply for an exchange at various universities in Europe that also offer Korean studies. There is also the possibility of a scholarship. You can read more about it on the official CEEPUS website (the page is in English).

What are the criteria for successful completion of studies?

In addition to the successfully completed exam obligations, the condition for the completion of the study program is an author's work - a diploma. You can choose the diploma topic yourself, but the content must relate to your studies. You research the chosen topic in depth and treat it critically. The thesis consists of approximately 25-50 pages. It is written in Slovene or Korean, exceptionally in English. A summary in Korean (3-4 pages) is also mandatory if the work is in Slovenian, and vice versa. This is followed by a 15-minute presentation in Korean and a defense of thesis in the form of answers to questions asked by a three-member panel. You can answer in Slovenian.

Institutes

The Academy of Korean Studies http://intl.aks.ac.kr/english/index.do

Korea Foundation https://www.kf.or.kr/kfEng/main.do?langTy=ENG

National Institute for International Education http://niied.go.kr/eng/main.do

East Asia Resource Library https://www.fdv.uni-lj.si/en/research/earl

King Sejong Institute Ljubljana https://as.ff.uni-lj.si/ksi-ljubljana

Dictionaries

• Standard Korean Dictionary
• Basic Korean Dictionary
• Korean-English Learners' Dictionary
• Korean-Japanese Learners' Dictionary
• Korean-Chinese Learners' Dictionary
• Korean-French Learners' Dictionary
• Korean-Spanish Learners' Dictionary
• Korean-Russian Learners' Dictionary
• Open-Type Dictionary (우리말 샘)
• English-Korean Dictionary
• Korean Romanization Converter

Korean Language Learning

• Online King Sejong Institute
• Nuri-Sejonghakdang
• TOPIK

Korean language courses

• Faculty of arts https://www.ff.uni-lj.si/izobrazevanja/center-za-pedagosko-izobrazevanje/jezikovni-tecaji
• King Sejong Institute https://www.fdv.uni-lj.si/raziskovanje/earl/ksi

Libraries

• East Asia Resource Library – Korea Corner
• Korea Citation Index

Etc.

• Korean studies student union Saebyeol 새별
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