Monash Korean Studies

12/10/2026

Dear Korean Studies Community,

A big thanks to everyone who participated in the 9th Annual Korean Speech Contest, hosted by MUKSRH and sponsored by the Academy of Korean Studies. Students' hard work, dedication, creativity and bravery were on full display as they presented a range of engaging and entertaining presentations on the topic of navigating linguistic and cultural differences.

Congratulations to our contest winners!

Prizes were awarded to the best in each category, as well as a grand prize for best presentation overall.

Beginner level: Eloise Mei (The University of Melbourne)
Intermediate: Nguyễn Ngọc Đan Thanh (Van Lang University)
Proficient: Lucinda Gardiner (Monash University)
Grand Prize winner: Teresa Tan (The University of Melbourne)

Special prize/honorable mention: Erica Chang and Nicole Lim (Collingwood College)

Congratulations, and we hope to see you again next year. 화이팅!!

Our gratitude also goes to Kate Gahye Kim and the Korean Consulate in Melbourne for their ongoing support, as well as Baeyi Kim, President of Korean Language School’s Association Inc and Principal of Deepdene Korean School, Youngae Kim, Principal of Waverley Korean Language School, and Jaeyoon Lee, Principal of Korean Language School of Melbourne.

Last but not least, we would like to express our deep gratitude to the hard-working and dedicated judges who made the difficult decision of selecting just five winners out of an extremely talented group of students! Thanks to Sin Ji Jung of Melbourne University, Jessica Huynh of Monash University, and Younghee Cho of Collingwood College.

Sincerely,
Daniel Pieper
Monash University Korean Studies Research Hub

10/10/2026

MUKSRH presents the 2027 Korean Studies Research Session for Teaching and Technology: “How I AI”

Short talks on how we use AI in our teaching and research.

Date and time: Tuesday 23rd February 2027, 1-5pm
Venue: Monash University, Clayton Campus (hybrid in-person and online)

We invite registrations for How I AI, a half-day workshop hosted by the Monash University Korean Studies Research Hub (MUKSRH). The event will provide an informal forum for colleagues to share the different ways they are using AI in their research, teaching, administration, and other aspects of their academic work. The event is open to staff and students in any discipline at Monash, as well as Korean Studies researchers across Australia who can join via Zoom.

To register, please fill out the form by scanning the QR code. We encourage all registrants to consider contributing a short talk (5-10 minutes), but this is not required.

*Note that online participation is primarily designed for those joining from out of state. Participants in the Melbourne area are generally expected to attend in person.

Registration closes on 30th October 2026.

07/10/2026

[External] Join Hanbok Culture Australia (https://hanbokcultureaustralia.com/) for a special Hanbok performance at Korea Festival Melbourne 2026 at Flagstaff Gardens on 7 November!

We’re welcoming more participants interested in Hanbok, Korean culture and K-pop-inspired dance. No professional dance experience is required — beginners are very welcome!

- Hanbok provided
- Five free performance workshops in Oakleigh
- Traditional & modern Hanbok performance
- Korean dance & K-pop-inspired choreography
- Special Minhwa cultural session

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelN83NVIgvxN3CgVjosI6D7ivMrw28DIOy_Z7JiRA5gCIXYA/viewform

07/10/2026

Congratulations to Roald Maliangkay and Eunseon Kim and the team at ANU Korea Institute for their Presidential Citation!

Find out more here:

Late Sandoll Founder Receives Eungwan Order for Hangul Fonts Seok Geum-ho honored posthumously for 40 years developing 1,000 Hangul typefaces

07/10/2026

[External] Two Upcoming Books Talks by Professor Chatani on 9th (ANU), 19th (UniMelb)

Challenges of Writing Zainichi Korean History: Ethics, Emotions, and Politics
Date: 9 October 2026
Time: 1.30-3.00 AEDT
Venue: HC Coombs Building, ANU
Hosted by ANU Korea Institute

I Hate My Mother: North Korean Feminism and Diasporic Korean Families in Postwar Japan19
Date: 19 October 2026
Time: 1.30-3.00 AEDT
Venue: Room 321, Sydney Myer Asia Centre, University of Melbourne
Hosted by the University of Melbourne, Asia Institute

Both appear to be in person only. Please contact the host institutions directly about the online option.

07/10/2026

The Korean Women’s Development Institute and the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Korea to the OECD held a forum on 1 October to mark the 30th anniversary of Korea’s OECD accession. Hyein Ellen Cho (MUKSRH) and Bridget Harris (SoSS) were invited to join the forum as international experts.

The forum explored how AI and digital transformation are affecting women’s work and safety. Its theme was '30 Years of Korea's OECD Membership and Emerging Gender Equality Challenges: AI Transformation in the Labour Market and Digital Safety'.

In presentations and a roundtable discussion, Hyein and Bridget joined representatives from the OECD and the UN Women Knowledge and Partnerships Centre to discuss technology-facilitated gender-based violence, Korea’s role in advancing gender equality, and opportunities for international cooperation.

18/09/2026

Call for Applications: Research Fellow - Postgraduate - Monash Korean Studies Research Hub (MUKSRH)

The Monash University Korean Studies Research Hub (MUKSRH) is inviting applications for our Research Fellow position.

Interested in joining our team? Find out more about the position and how to apply here:

The Monash Korean Studies Research Hub (MUKSRH) Research Fellow will contribute to research efforts and build expertise through defined projects in Korean Studies. As the successful candidate, you will be responsible for conducting independent and collaborative research and publishing research outpu...

16/09/2026

Registrations are now open for Associate Professor D**g Bae (Isaac) Lee's (University of Queensland) talk.

"An Analysis of North Korean Textbooks in the Kim Jong-un Era"

Date & Time: Thursday, 15 October 2026, 4-5PM AEST (Melbourne)
via ZOOM

REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/puWcowyv2WJMYTrQA

11/09/2026

Petition to Protest the Proposed Removal of Korean as a Tier 1 Priority Language as tabled by the House Standing Committee on Education’s report into Building Asia Capability.

Join us in advocating for Korean language education!

Please sign our petition. No Donations Required. Thanks.

Sign here: https://c.org/5b5YF2Ydh7

See here for the Building Asia Capability report: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Education/BuildingAsiacapability

Protest the removal of Korean as a Tier 1 priority language

27/08/2026

[External] Free Screening of "Spirits’ Homecoming (귀향)" in Melbourne

Organised by: Friends of Comfort Women in Melbourne (멜번 평화의소녀상 연대)

🎬 Event Overview
- Film: Spirits’ Homecoming (귀향) (2016)
- Directed by Cho Jung-rae | Full English Subtitles
- Date & Time: Saturday, 12 September 2026, at 6:00 PM
- Venue: Performance Space, Library at The Dock
- Admission: FREE
RSVP required due to the limited capacity of 120 seats
- Free ticket booking link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/10-spirits-homecoming-10th-anniversary-screening-tickets-1998851869750