Korean Studies Center at Nazarbayev University

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is currently recruiting for the KOICA Global Supporters WeKO program(7th) For those who are interested in Korea and International development (SDGs, ODA, etc) in general. This initiative aims to raise global awareness of Korea’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) and to promote the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the power of creative content and digital storytelling.

Open to anyone aged 16 or older *regardless of nationality*, the program provides a valuable opportunity for participants to develop their global communication skills, promote KOICA’s ODA efforts and SDG impact, and receive activity expenses in return for participants.

🔗 Application Website: https://www.koicaweko.com/en

동국대 이주다문화통합연구소 IMI 주최 포럼

주 제 : 중앙아시아 다민족-다문화(카자흐인, 우즈베크인, 고려인, 러시아인의 공존과 협력

일 시 : 2025년 6월 20일(금) 오후 2~3시

장 소 : 온라인 줌회의실(https://zoom.us/j/7787901812)

발표자 : 김상철 교수(한국외국어대학교 중앙아시아연구소)

An upcoming online forum of Korean Studies

WWU Professor Holly Folk shall discuss the controversial religious sect Sincheonji, whose members were blamed and prosecuted for the spread of Covid-19 in South Korea.

Title: Covid-19 and Religious Freedom in South Korea
Speakers: Holly Folk (WWU Professor), Kenji Yoshida (journalist)
Date & Time: April 10 (Thu), 10:00 (Korea Standard Time)
Register: https://forms.gle/mFmpwbijznJq1oXh6
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/93238244411

Religious Freedom in EA: Sincheonji, Unification https://zoom.us/j/93238244411 Covid-19 and Religious Freedom in South Korea: Sincheonchi Dissolution of Unification Church in Japan. Heterodox East Asia Community and HxA Western Washington University Speakers: WWU Professor Holly Folk, journalist Kenji Yoshida April 9 Wed | 9pm ET | 6pm PT (US) Apr...

2025 외국인 한국어 말하기 대회 (코리안타임즈)

https://klsc.koreatimes.co.kr/KoreanSpeakingContest_2025eng.html

EN: The Korea Times will hold its second Korean Language Speaking Contest this year. This event aims to recognize and reward non-Korean nationals who have a deep interest in Korean language and culture, encouraging them to continue exploring and engaging with the country.

*How to apply: Create and upload a video in Korean in either long form (2-3 minutes) or short form (under 1 minute) on YouTube. Add the hashtag in the video title, make the video public. Complete and submit the online application form via the contest website. More information is on the official website of the contest (linked below).

Application form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7fkV52XPafNKJU5jhrYdbevBpthRp8Mj9APUzmDXE9VPSWw/viewform

KO: 코리아타임스가 한국어의 세계화를 목표로 제2회 외국인 한국어 말하기 대회를 개최합니다. 이 대회는 한국어 및 한국 문화에 깊은 관심을 가진 해외 국적의 외국인들을 발굴하고 시상함으로써 한국어 및 한국 문화를 지속적으로 탐구해 나갈 수 있도록 지원하는 행사입니다.

* 응모방법: 한국어로 말하는 롱폼(2분 이상 3분 이하) 또는 숏폼(1분 이하) 동영상 제작 후 유튜브 업로드 (업로드 시 영상 제목에 태그 추가 및 전체 공개 설정 필수) 한 후 아래 신청서 양식을 완성 및 제출하면 됩니다. 자세한 설명은 대회 공식페이지를 참고하세요.

신청서 양식은 아래입니다.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7fkV52XPafNKJU5jhrYdbevBpthRp8Mj9APUzmDXE9VPSWw/viewform

2025 Korean Language Speaking Contest www.koreatimes.co.kr delivers the latest information on all events and stories taking place in Korea.

NU Korean Studies Center is pleased to invite you to the Korean Studies Seminar, scheduled for April 9 (Wed) at 17:00 in Library Conference Hal (53.228).

Title: Manufacturing Compliance: How pariah states strategically engage with international human rights mechanisms

Date: 9 April, Wednesday
Time: 17:00 - 18:30
Room: 5e.228 (NU Library Conference Hall)

Speaker: Dr. Chunyoung (Holden) Park is Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science and International Relations. He joined the faculty of Nazarbayev University in Fall 2023 after completing his doctoral degree at the University of Georgia. He specializes in human security, international organizations, and foreign policy. His research focused on state and non-state actors’ behavior in international politics on the human rights issues.

Abstract: Why do pariah states like North Korea engage with international human rights institutions? This study explores how states, which are outcasts in the international community, use the United Nations’ Universal Periodic Review (UN UPR) to shape their international reputations. By examining the patterns of recommendation acceptance and rejection, we suggest how these states craft diplomatic strategies that create an image of compliance while protecting their essential political structures. Our findings show that such participation aims less at improving human rights and more at securing legitimacy and crafting a façade of international responsiveness. Pariah states are not passive or isolated but are deliberate actors that navigate international norms to serve their interests. By investigating how these states balance domestic control with external pressures, the study sheds light on the strategic ways international pariahs interact with international human rights mechanisms.

The language of the event is English.

The 8th Annual Meeting of the Social Science Korean Studies Network in Europe (SoKEN) - “The Korean Peninsula in Times of Multiple Crises: Research and Teaching in the Social Sciences”

May 23(Fri)-24(Sat), 2025

The Institute of East Asian Studies (IN-EAST) at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) invites social scientists whose research focuses on modern Korea to submit a proposal for the upcoming annual SoKEN conference. Senior and early career scholars and in particular advanced Ph.D. students are encouraged to apply.

▪ Proposal submission deadline: March 15, 2025
▪ Notification of acceptance: March 31, 2025
▪ Draft submission deadline: May 12, 2025

Call for Papers – 8th Annual Meeting of the Social Science Korean Studies Network in Europe (SoKEN), University of Duisburg-Essen – May 23-24, 2025 – Deadline for applications – March 15, 2025 – The Association for Korean Studies in Europe “The Korean Peninsula in Times of Multiple Crises: Research and Teaching in the Social Sciences” 8th Annual Meeting of the Social Science Korean Studies Network in Europe (SoKEN) Institute of East Asian Studies, University of Duisburg-Essen May 23(Fri)-24(Sat), 2025 The Institute of East Asian S...

The Graduate School of Korean Studies at the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) is accepting applications for MA and PhD programs in various fields of Korean Studies.
The application period is 10:00 17 March ~ 17:00 28 March (Korean Standard Time). All application should be submitted through the Study Korea website at https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/
Find more information at the official page of GSKS at https://grad.aks.ac.kr/

KO: 지난 2024년 12월 10일 서울에서 열린 한국행정연구원 심포지움에 본 센터의 고호윤교수(정치학)와 이민호교수(컴퓨터사이언스)가 토론자로 참석하여 한국의 규제관련 AI 플랫폼의 개발에 대하여 의견을 나누고 왔습니다. 한국행정연구원은 중앙아시아와의 개발협력 분야에 대한 양국 행정기관 및 연구소 간의 협력을 진행하고 있습니다. 이번 교류를 통해서 한국학센터와의 협업도 확대해갈 생각입니다.

EN: On December 10, 2024, Dr. Hoyoun Koh (PSIR) and Dr. Minho Lee (Computer Science) from NU Korean Studies Center participated in a symposium organized by the Korea Institute of Public Administration (KIPA) in Seoul, to discuss the development of regulatory AI platforms in South Korea. The Korea Institute of Public Administration is one of the leading think tanks and public research institutions in conducting cooperation between administrative agencies and research institutes of Kazakhstan and South Korea. We hope to expand the collaboration between KSC and KIPA through more events like this.

RU: EN: 10 декабря 2024 года доктор Хоюн Кох (PSIR) и доктор Минхо Ли (Computer Science) из Центра корейских исследований NU приняли участие в симпозиуме, организованном Корейским институтом государственного управления (KIPA) в Сеуле, чтобы обсудить развитие регулирующих ИИ-платформ в Южной Корее. Корейский институт государственного управления является одним из ведущих аналитических центров и государственных исследовательских институтов, осуществляющих сотрудничество между административными органами и исследовательскими институтами Казахстана и Южной Кореи. Мы надеемся расширить сотрудничество между KSC и KIPA путем проведения большего количества подобных мероприятий.

🌐EN: On January 20th, NU Korean Studies Center hosted a seminar with Associate Professor at Soongsil University, Dr. Ji-hyung Park.
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Dr. Park reviewed the historical development of citizen participation in civil service and the current system of recruitment in South Korea. Additionally, speaker examined the shortcomings and outlined potential routes of enhancing the existing recruitment system. Participants were able to address their questions and draw comparisons with Kazakhstan’s civil service recruitment system.
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🌐KZ: 20 қаңтар күні НУ Корейтану орталығы Сунсил университетінің ассистент профессоры, доктор Пак Джи Хёнмен семинар өткізді.
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Доктор Пак азаматтардың мемлекеттік қызметке қатысуының тарихи дамуын және Оңтүстік Кореядағы кадрларды қабылдаудың қазіргі жүйесін қарастырды. Сонымен қатар, спикер кемшіліктерді қарастырып, қолданыстағы кадрларды іріктеу жүйесін жетілдірудің ықтимал бағыттарын атап өтті. Қатысушылар өздерінің сұрақтарын қойып, Қазақстанның мемлекеттік қызметке қабылдау жүйесімен салыстыра алды.
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🌐RU: 20 января Центр корейских исследований при NU провел семинар с доцентом Университета Сунсил, доктором Пак Джи Хёном.
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Доктор Пак рассмотрел историческое развитие участия граждан в государственной службе и действующую систему найма в Южной Корее. Кроме того, спикер отметил недостатки и презентовал потенциальные пути улучшения существующей системы найма. Участники смогли задать свои вопросы и провести сравнения с системой найма на государственную службу Казахстана.

🌐EN: On January 17th, NU Korean Studies Center hosted a seminar with Assistant Professor at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Dr. Myung-hoon Kang.
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Dr. Kang reviewed the timeline of nuclear power plant construction in South Korea and discussed the matter of citizen opposition to the government policies. Through case study of Uljin county, speaker has illustrated how local population uses opposition as method of bargaining power against politicians and corporations. Participants were also briefly introduced about study programs at POSTECH and an NU alumni has shared her experience of studying in South Korea at graduate level.
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🌐KZ: 17 қаңтар күні НУ Корейтану орталығы Поханг ғылым және технологиялар университетінің (POSTECH) ассистент профессоры, доктор Мён Хун Кангпен семинар өткізді.
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Доктор Канг Оңтүстік Кореяда атом электр станциясының құрылысының тарихын қарастырып, үкімет саясатына азаматтардың қарсылығы мәселесін талқылады. Ульжин уезінің мысалында спикер жергілікті тұрғындардың оппозицияны саясаткерлер мен корпорациялармен келіссөз әдісі ретінде қалай қолданатынын көрсетті. Қатысушылар сонымен қатар POSTECH оқу бағдарламалары туралы қысқаша таныстырылды және НУ түлегі өзінің Оңтүстік Кореяда магистратурада оқу тәжірибесімен бөлісті.
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🌐RU: 17 января Центр корейских исследований при NU провел семинар с доцентом Университета науки и технологий Пхохана (POSTECH), доктором Мён Хун Кангом.
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Доктор Канг рассмотрел хронологию строительства атомных электростанций в Южной Корее и обсудил вопрос гражданского сопротивления политике правительства. На примере уезда Ульджин спикер проиллюстрировал как местное население использует оппозицию как метод переговоров с политиками и корпорациями. Участников также кратко ознакомили с учебными программами в POSTECH, а выпускница NU поделилась своим опытом обучения на магистратуре в Южной Корее.

KO: 지난 11월 알마티 카자흐세계언어대에서 열린 제6회 한국학주간에 다녀왔습니다. 올 해에도 NU 재학생 두 명을 선발하여 함께 했습니다. 한국어올림피아드에는 딜누라 카디르쿨로바 (언어학 3년)가 당찬 모습으로 도전하여 장려상에 입상하였습니다. 논문발표 부문에서는 라비가 아크메토바 (정치학 3년) 가 "북한 무력도발의 원인분석: 2015년 목침지뢰사건을 중심으로"라는 주제로 발표하였습니다.
한국학주간 행사는 매 년 카자흐세계언어대학이 주최하는 한국학행사로 중앙아시아 지역의 한국어/학 전공하는 학생들이 모여 한국어와 한국에 대한 소논문을 발표하는 자리입니다. 올 해에는 아스타나 지역에서 NU를 비롯하여 유라시아국립대, 아스타나IT대 등도 참가하였습니다.

EN: Last November, the NU Korean Studies Center attended the 6th Korean Study Week at the Ablai-khan Kazakh University in Almaty. We selected two NU students to join the event: Dilnura Kadirkulova (Linguistics, 3rd year) participated in the Korean Olympiad and won an honorable mention. In the paper presentation category, Rabiga Akhmetova (3rd year, Political Science) presented “The North Korean Rationale Behind the Landmine Provocation in 2015."
Korean Studies Week is an annual event organized by the Ablai-khan Kazakh University, which brings together students majoring Korean language or studies from across Central Asia to present papers and to compete in Korean speaking contest. This year found more universities from Astana, including Nazarbayev University, Eurasian National University, and Astana IT University.

RU: В ноябре прошлого года Центр корееведения НУ принял участие в 6-й Неделе корейских исследований в Казахском университете имени Аблай-хана в Алматы. Мы выбрали двух студентов НУ для участия в этом мероприятии: Дильнура Кадиркулова (лингвистика, 3 курс) приняла участие в олимпиаде по корейскому языку и получила почетное упоминание. Рабига Ахметова (3 курс, политология) представила доклад «Северокорейское обоснование минной угрозы» в номинации «Презентация доклада».
Неделя корееведения - ежегодное мероприятие, организованное Казахским университетом имени Аблай-хана, на котором собираются студенты, изучающие корейский язык и корееведение, со всей Центральной Азии, чтобы представить небольшие доклады по корейскому языку и корееведению. В этом году в мероприятии приняло участие большее количество университетов из Астаны, включая Назарбаевский университет, Евразийский национальный университет и Астанинский университет информационных технологий.