한국학과 호주
REMARKS BY CONSUL GENERAL PARK on OCCASION OF
4TH BIENNIAL KAREC INTERNATIONAL PRE-SYMPOSIUM DINNER
8 August 2007
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Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honour to welcome you to this pre-conference dinner for the 4th Biennial KAREC International Symposium. I would like to extend a warm welcome to Australia to the international participants who have traveled to Sydney for this event, particularly Professor Song Wha Choi who was my professor at Seoul National University more than 30 years ago.
I would like to thank KAREC and the University of NSW for organizing this Symposium which has as its aim the formulation of cooperative strategies for the promotion of research and education in Korean studies in Oceania and Southeast Asia. I understand that the participants will discuss the trends in terms of globalization and localization of Korean studies, the so-called ‘glocalisation’ of Korean studies.
According to general information, globalization in this case means the expansion of Korean studies abroad and localization means an increase in the human resources pool (for example, Korean language teachers) in local countries. If I may add one of my thoughts on this trend, there is a further dimension to the glocalisation of Korean studies.
The glocalisation of Korean studies is a consequence of two factors: the first is the ‘pushing’ factor. This is the effort to promote and support Korean studies from institutions and scholars within Korea which accelerated in the 1990s. The push to promote Korean studies abroad has opened up new opportunities for academic and cultural exchanges, the launch of Korean studies programs in major regional universities, the emergence of academic networks and helped propel the globalization of Korean language culture.
The second factor is the ‘pulling’ factor. Pulling factors may be diverse. Some of them are the spread of Korean pop culture, known as the Korean Wave, the growth of economic relations with other countries, Korean migration and the increasing participation of Korea in world politics. All of these factors have combined to create a rising awareness of Korea and a corresponding rise in interest in Korean studies, culture and language.
Since this symposium is about the glocalisation of Korean studies in Southeast Asia and Oceania, we may ask what are the common factors (or common pulling and pushing factors) between the different countries of Southeast Asia and Oceania.
I think that the economic and political relationship between these regions and Korea is similar. These regions have a very close relationship in trade and investment and also share a politically similar regional environment. Being Asian, the value systems of the majority of these countries are also very similar.
However, one difference is that in Australia there is a large resident Korean population. This population has retained strong ties to its Korean heritage, due in large part to Australia’s successful policy of multiculturalism. There is therefore greater interest in promoting Korean studies and culture in Australia.
Through Korean immigrants, the local population has been introduced to Korean language and culture. This interaction of cultures provokes an intrinsic curiosity in the community leading to increased interest on the part of the host culture. I think the influence of the Korean diaspora has been critical to the pulling factor in Australia. I cannot go deep into this debate but I encourage you to do so over the next two days.
I would like to point out that the KAREC symposium being held in Sydney is meaningful because Australia is unique due to its diversity in ethnicity and culture. Australia can be considered a microcosm of the world with its large multicultural population. But the Australian identity is also evolving. It is also placing more and more importance on integrating with its Asian neighbours. Indeed, it sees itself as a part of Asia. Evidence of this can be seen in its recent inclusion in the Asian Cup soccer tournament.
Having said that, I would like to use this opportunity to express my gratitude to the institutions which support KAREC. First, to the University of NSW. The University of NSW has provided a home base for this international venture, by establishing and providing continuous support to KAREC. Second, to the top universities in Southeast Asia and Oceania represented in this Symposiusm. They have enthusiastically joined the partnership with KAREC in creating academic communities for Korean studies and other related disciplines.
Third, to the Academy of Korean Studies. The Academy has recognized the research and education hub created by KAREC, in its Korean Studies Institution Grant Scheme, and provided a bigger platform on which all of the scholars in the region can work together.
Fourth, to the scholars and professors from Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and of course Korea and consuls general of those countries. We all work to link the region and to enrich the relationships and partnerships.
Finally I would like to congratulate KAREC for organising this event. I wish them every success for this symposium and I wish the international participants an enjoyable stay in Sydney. Also, I hope for a positive outcome for all participants and the continuing growth of Korean studies in Southeast Asia, Oceania and beyond.
Thank you.