RESEARCH
Institute of International Affairs (IIA)
The Institute of International Affairs (IIA) at Graduate School of International Studies, established in 2004, promotes insightful academic research with policy implications on a broad range of subjects addressing international affairs. IIA provides a unique inter-disciplinary perspective on various international issues, embracing economic, political, social and historical analysis. As one of the leading research institutes for international affairs, IIA works as a focal point for serious policy discussions to cope with constantly changing world environment. IIA regularly hosts seminar, conferences and symposiums with leading scholars and policymakers all over the world. In addition, the institute also conducts training programs customized for specific needs of participants.
IIA continues to support its specialized research centers that deal with important international subjects including Center for International Commerce & Strategy, Center for International Cooperation, Center for International Development Studies, Center for American Studies, Center for EU Studies, Center for Chinese Studies, Center for East Asian Studies, Socheon Center for Korean Studies, Center for Transnational Migration and Open Society, and Center for International Security. Each center further deepens its own research initiatives with academic and policy network. IIA facilitates scholarly communication through two academic journals, one in Korean and one in English, which are recognized as KCI journals by National Research Foundation of Korea.
Institute for Japanese Studies
Since its foundation in 2004, Institute for Japanese Studies in Seoul National University has strived to establish an ‘international base’ for academic efforts in the field of Japanese Studies. Under the leadership of former directors—Professors Kim Young-Dok, Han Young-Hae, Park Cheol Hee, and Kim Hyun-Chul—IJS has endeavored at organization and institutionalization levels to find an academic infrastructure that allows for more systematic operation of various research and academic activities, as well as distribution of the achievements to the public and to the international community. For this purpose, IJS has continued its efforts to become the global center for Japanese Studies by exploring research topics that are compatible with those of the works in Japan, as well as those that could be better discussed by scholars outside Japan depending on the field.
From 2008, IJS has conducted HK and HK+ projects with the support of Korea Research Foundation. IJS achieved some excellent results in areas of research and academic activities; publications, archiving of printed materials; Japan-related databases, social contributions, and fostering of future Japan specialists. Upon such accomplishments, IJS was recognized by Seoul National University’s internal review as the Best Research Institution four times in a row. IJS also received an evaluation of excellence in the HK project’s overall assessment of its 10-year project, becoming one of the exemplary cases of university affiliated research institutes.
EU Centre of Excellence
The European Union is an international organization unprecedented in human history. Started by the Schuman Declaration in 1950, EU has achieved the single market among member states, harmonizing different member states’ policies and carrying out common policies. Now EU leads international economic order together with U.S. through its common trade and monetary policies. Moreover, EU extends integration and harmonization in various fields of politics, international affairs, security, etc.
The EU Centre of Seoul National University (SNU EU Centre) was established in March 2006, with the support of the European Commission. It was awarded by the European Commission as the first Centre of Excellence in South Korea in 2011, and was the first recipient of a Jean Monnet Chair in Korea.
Today, Europe can be hardly understood without the knowledge on the European Union. In that regard, SNU EU Centre is planning a number of actions not only in research and education, but also through various kinds of conferences, seminars, forums, and publications. SNU EU Cente will help the Koreans to understand these dynamic developments of the EU, and will help the mutual understandings between Korea and EU through exchange programs with EU experts and scholars.
For the development of the SNU EU Centre, all your cooperation and advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for your interests and encouragements.
