AKS Strategic Research Institute Program

At the end of 2022, the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) launched a new phase of grant funding through the Strategic Research Institute Program for Korean Studies (AKS-2022-SRI-2200001). This followed more than a decade of support under the Core University Program for Korean Studies (CUPKS), which funded our activities from 2012 to 2022.

While the CUPKS focused primarily on strengthening Korean Studies at the University of Auckland, the Strategic Research Institute (SRI) programme aims to support the development of Korean Studies programmes at universities across Oceania and beyond. This initiative draws on our experience at the University of Auckland, as well as that of other universities in New Zealand and Australia.

Our regional focus is the broader Indo-Pacific, encompassing the South Pacific, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Central Asia, including the Caucasus region. Our research priorities include:

• Korean diasporas and transnational Korean communities
• Multiculturalism and social diversity in contemporary South Korea
• Historical and contemporary people-to-people relations between Korea and other Asian countries, including Japan and China
• South Korea's public diplomacy through its global support for Korean Studies as soft power
  

Supporting Korean Studies across Oceania and beyond

We support the development of Korean Studies through curriculum exchange, introductory lectures, collaborative teaching, academic networking, and assistance with programme development and external grant applications.

Advancing research on Korea and Korean diasporas

We promote individual and collaborative research on Korean society, history, culture, migration, and transnational connections through scholarly publications, colloquia, workshops, conferences, and international academic exchange.

Project Director (PI)

• Changzoo Song

Project Team Members

• Yuri Seo
• Sunhee Koo
• Mi Yung Park
• Patrick Thomsen
• Hee-seung Irene Lee
• Lynne Park
  

Academic connections across Oceania

The project draws on Korean Studies expertise across New Zealand and Australia to foster curriculum exchange, collaborative teaching, and academic networking.

The inaugural Oceania Korean Studies Curricula Network Meeting, held at the University of Auckland on 17-18 February 2023, brought together academics from universities in New Zealand, Australia, Korea, and Indonesia to discuss Korean Studies curricula, teaching methodologies, and experiences in developing university programmes.

These academic networks have also supported the development of the e-Korean Studies Basic Lecture Series, featuring volunteer lecturers from the University of Auckland, Victoria University of Wellington, the University of Melbourne, Monash University, Macquarie University, and Yonsei University.

University connections beyond Oceania

The project actively engages with universities where Korean Studies is still emerging or opportunities to study Korea remain limited. Activities include introductory lectures, academic consultations, regular teaching contributions, and discussions on establishing or expanding Korean Studies programmes. These initiatives draw on our two decades of experience in developing Korean Studies in New Zealand.

e-Korean Studies Basic Lecture Series

The e-Korean Studies Basic Lecture Series provides introductory Korean Studies lectures for universities with limited access to Korean Studies specialists. The programme covers a wide range of topics, including Korean and East Asian history, society, economy, food culture, popular culture, multiculturalism, technology, and international relations, including North Korea. Participating universities select lectures according to their academic interests and teaching needs.

Since its launch, the lecture series has supported the following institutions:

• University of Central Asia (Naryn, Kyrgyzstan): Our first e-Korean Studies Basic Lecture Series was launched in 2021 in partnership with this university, with generous support from the University of Auckland. Following highly positive feedback from both students and teachers at UCA, the programme continued for three consecutive years until 2023.
• Muhammadiyah Malang University (East Java, Indonesia): participating since 2024
• Ganesha University of Education (Bali, Indonesia): participated for three consecutive years, from 2024 to 2026
• Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (Chiang Mai, Thailand): participating since 2025
• Padang State University (West Sumatra, Indonesia): participating since 2025.
• Yerevan State University (Armenia): participating since 2026. From 2027, students from Ilia State University (Tbilisi, Georgia) will join the lecture series alongside participants from Yerevan State University.

Supporting the development of Korean Studies programmes

In addition to delivering lectures, the project actively supports universities seeking to establish or strengthen Korean Studies programmes. This work includes sharing expertise in curriculum design and programme management, hosting academic visits, and providing guidance on applications for external funding from organisations such as the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS), the Korea Foundation, and the Eurasia Foundation (from Asia).

A significant outcome of these efforts has been successfully securing AKS Seed Grants by two partner institutions: Muhammadiyah Malang University in Indonesia and Yerevan State University in Armenia. These grants provide seed funding to support the development of Korean Studies programmes, including the recruitment of academic staff, curriculum development, teaching activities, and research initiatives tailored to each institution's needs and goals.

Muhammadiyah Malang University: Our collaboration with Muhammadiyah Malang University has included assistance with its AKS Seed Grant application and ongoing participation in the e-Korean Studies Basic Lecture Series. In 2023, the university's Principal Investigator, Professor Gonda Yumitro, a prominent Indonesian political scientist, visited the University of Auckland to discuss future collaboration and the development of Korean Studies.

Yerevan State University: Our partnership with Yerevan State University has combined academic exchange, teaching support, and assistance with programme development. The partnership was further strengthened by the participation of Ms Hasmik Tshagharyan, who leads Korean Studies at Yerevan State University, in the AKS Promotion Meeting held at the University of Queensland in 2025. The meeting provided opportunities for networking, information sharing, and discussions on strategies for developing Korean Studies programmes.

In April 2026, project members delivered seven lectures for students and staff at the university. Shortly afterwards, Yerevan State University successfully secured an AKS Seed Grant. Following this achievement, the Dean of International Relations at Yerevan State University visited the University of Auckland and delivered a public lecture.

Beyond these partnerships, the project has facilitated academic exchange and consultations on Korean Studies development with other institutions, including Ilia State University in Georgia, Fukuoka University, and Osaka University of Economics and Law in Japan.

Partner universities

To date, the project has developed academic connections and collaborative partnerships with universities across the following countries and regions:

Korea

• Yonsei University
• Korea University
• Jeonnam National University (Gwangju)

North America

• University of California Los Angeles
• University of Hawai’i at Hilo
• York University (Toronto)
• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Europe

• Goethe University of Frankfurt

China

• Ocean University of China (Qingdao)
• Fudan University (Shanghai)

Japan

• Fukuoka University (Fukuoka)
• Gakushuin University (Tokyo)
• Osaka University of Economics and Law

Indonesia

• Muhammadiyah Malang University
• State University of Jakarta
• Ganesha University of Education
• Udayana University
• Padang State University
• Yogyakarta State University

Thailand

• Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna

Armenia

• Yerevan State University

Georgia

• Ilia State University

Malaysia

• University of Malaya

India

• The English and Foreign Languages University (EFL University), Hyderabad

Kyrgyzstan

• Naryn State University
• University of Central Asia

Turkey

• Istanbul University

The project supports research on Korean society, history, culture, migration, and transnational connections. Particular attention is given to Korean diasporic youth, South Korea’s diaspora engagement policies, and the increasingly multicultural societies of South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.

Research on Korean diasporas forms a central pillar of the programme. This work explores migration, ethnicity, identity, belonging, and relationships with Korea across generations and national contexts. Beyond diaspora research, project members investigate a broad range of topics, including language, music, film and media, politics, historical memory, and Korea’s relationships with neighbouring societies.

Through colloquia, workshops, and collaborative projects, the programme provides opportunities for scholars to present their research, exchange ideas, build international networks, and develop publications. Alongside these collaborative activities, team members continue to pursue research in their respective areas of expertise.

Collaborative book projects

Korean Diasporic Youth Identities Around the World (working title)
This edited volume examines identity formation and belonging among younger generations of the Korean diaspora. Drawing on case studies from different regions, the book explores how Korean diasporic youth understand and negotiate their identities, navigate their place within the societies in which they live, and maintain, transform, or reconsider their connections with Korea.

The project builds on ongoing research into newer-generation diasporas and has been informed by international scholarly exchange, including a 2023 workshop in Osaka on newer-generation Asian youth in North America, Oceania, and Europe.

Status: In development.

Korea-Japan People-to-People Relations: Migration, Encounters, and Everyday Lives
This edited volume examines Korea-Japan relations through the experiences of ordinary people, with particular attention to migration and cross-border human connections throughout history. Its chapters explore interactions across the pre-modern, colonial, and postcolonial periods, addressing themes such as migration, family relationships, discrimination, identity, and everyday life.

The volume emerged from the international workshop History from Below: Korea-Japan People-to-People Relations, co-hosted with Fukuoka University on 19-20 February 2026. The workshop provided an opportunity for participants to discuss and refine their research ahead of publication.

The collection will first be published in Japanese by Akashi Shoten (Tokyo), followed by a Korean edition and a revised English-language edition for an international readership.

Status: Manuscript in preparation.

Korean Studies as Soft Power (working title)
This book project forms part of a white paper commissioned by the Academy of Korean Studies as a requirement of the Strategic Research Institute Programme.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience in developing Korean Studies at the University of Auckland, the project examines the South Korean government’s support for Korean Studies overseas as a form of public diplomacy and soft power. It analyses approximately three decades of institutional support provided by organisations such as the Academy of Korean Studies and the Korea Foundation, and evaluates their contributions to the development of Korean Studies programmes worldwide.

The project incorporates interviews, archival research, and policy analysis to examine how long-term funding programmes have supported Korean Studies teaching, research, institutional development, and international scholarly networks. It also assesses limitations in existing support systems and explores strategies for extending Korean Studies to emerging institutions and underrepresented regions.

The study contributes not only to Korean Studies but also to broader discussions of cultural diplomacy, international education, and South Korea’s diplomatic history.

Status: In development.

Individual research

Alongside collaborative projects, team members undertake research in their respective fields, contributing journal articles, book chapters, conference presentations, and other scholarly outputs.

Collectively, the project team’s expertise spans Korean Studies, Asian Studies, migration and diaspora studies, social work, sociolinguistics, ethnomusicology, film and media studies, marketing, Pacific Studies, gender studies, political science, and history.

Research undertaken by project members has explored a wide range of topics, including:

• Ethnic identity formation and co-ethnic relationships among Korean New Zealand youth
• Return migration of Korean Chinese and former Soviet Koreans to South Korea
• Historical people-to-people relations between Korea and Japan, including the experiences of Korean residents in Japan and Japanese residents in Korea, particularly Japanese women who settled in Korea after the end of the Pacific War
• Racism, trust, wellbeing, and belonging among Asian communities in Aotearoa New Zealand
• Music, ethnicity, and cultural identity among Koreans in Japan
• Indigenous, Pacific, and Asian experiences of belonging in Aotearoa New Zealand

Through these individual and collaborative research activities, the programme contributes to a deeper understanding of Korea’s historical and contemporary connections with societies across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. It also strengthens international networks among Korean Studies scholars and institutions.

Colloquia, workshops, and related events

The project has established an active programme of colloquia, workshops, public lectures, and community engagement events that bring together scholars, students, and members of the wider public interested in Korea and Korean Studies.

These events have addressed a diverse range of topics, including Korean diaspora and migration, identity and belonging, historical memory, popular culture, politics, international relations, public diplomacy, and Korea’s connections with neighbouring societies. Through these activities, the project has fostered international scholarly exchange and strengthened academic networks across Oceania, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America.

Between 2023 and 2026, the programme hosted or co-hosted a wide range of events involving scholars from universities and research institutions around the world.

2026

2 November: The Reality and Significance of Korea-Japan Cultural Exchange
Korean Studies Colloquia Series presentation by Professor Kyungsoo Rha (Gakushuin University).

6 June: Mum, Am I a Kiwi or Korean? Korean Families and Identity Across Two Cultures
Community seminar held in Christchurch following an invitation from World-OKTA Christchurch and organised in collaboration with the Korean Society of Christchurch. Presented by Changzoo Song and Lynne Park, the seminar explored identity formation, family relationships, and cultural belonging among Korean New Zealanders.

26 May: Zainichi Student Volunteers in the Korean War: War, Diaspora, and Memory
Korean Studies Colloquia Series presentation by Yuki Gabriella Minami (Victoria University of Wellington).

14 May: Social Relationships and the Occupational Mobility of Korean STEM Professionals
Korean Studies Colloquia Series presentation by Ann Kim (York University, Toronto).

19-20 February: History from Below: Korea-Japan People-to-People Relations
Co-hosted with Fukuoka University in Fukuoka, this international workshop featured eleven papers examining migration, historical encounters, and everyday interactions between Koreans and Japanese. The workshop forms the basis of an edited volume scheduled for publication in 2027.

2 February: The Two Koreas: Reconciliatory Efforts in Comparison with Germany
Korean Studies Colloquia Series presentation by Sangtu Ko (Yonsei University).

20 January: Memory and Competitive Victimhood in Northeast Asia
Korean Studies Colloquia Series presentation by Ria Shibata (Toda Peace Institute).

2025

4 September: Zainichi Koreans and the Legacy of the 1965 System in Korea-Japan Relations
Korean Studies Colloquia Series presentation by Yoshihiro Ogata (Fukuoka University).

11 August: Ethnic Diversity in the Japanese Diaspora
Korean Diaspora Colloquia Series presentation by Takeyuki (Gaku) Tsuda (Arizona State University).

7 August: Spectres of Progress Across China’s Northeastern Borders with North Korea and Russia
Guest lecture by Ed Pulford (University of Manchester), hosted by Dr Sunhee Koo.

25 June: Mongolian Volunteers, North Korean Hero Horses, and American Equine Idols of the Korean War
Korean Studies Colloquia Series presentation by Robert Winstanley-Chesters (University of Edinburgh and University of Leeds).

4 March: Tourism, Mobility, and Cross-Cultural Marriage: The Case of Japanese Women in Bali
Korean Studies Colloquia Series presentation by Ni Nengah Suartini (Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha).

20 February: Indonesia-Korea Partnership in the Context of Public Diplomacy
Korean Studies Colloquia Series presentation by Sukma Sushanti (Udayana University).

13 February: From Creativity to Ideology: How Autocracy Removed Artistic Freedom in North Korean Music
Korean Studies Colloquia Series presentation by Keith Howard (SOAS University of London).

29 January: Economic Growth and Democratization in South Korea: Focusing on the Decentralization of Power in National Assembly Elections
Korean Studies Colloquia Series presentation by Dong Woo Yoo (University of Ulsan).

16 January: Immigrant Identity Through Stories and Imagery in Australian and New Zealand Children’s Books
Korean Diaspora Colloquia Series presentation by Hai-suk Kim (University of Queensland).

2024

12–13 August: James An Seminar, Workshop, Public Lecture, and Stage Performance
A multi-format programme featuring Korean Canadian hip-hop artist James An, hosted by Dr Sunhee Koo. The events explored migration, contemporary Korean youth identity, and the role of music in shaping diasporic experiences.

10 May: Between Foreigners and Compatriots: Social Integration of Ethnic Koreans in Korea
Korean Diaspora Colloquia Series presentation by In-Jin Yoon (Korea University).

3 May: Navigating Identity and Discrimination: A Zainichi Korean’s Journey in Japan
Korean Diaspora Colloquia Series presentation by Dai Kaneda (The Nishinippon Shimbun).

19 April: Connections: Creating Resonance through a Graphic Novel
Korean Diaspora Colloquia Series presentation by Patsy Y. Iwasaki (University of Hawai‘i at Hilo).

4 April: Digital Curation of Humanities Data: Embracing Creative Culture and Art in the AI Era
Presented by Hyeon Kim (Academy of Korean Studies) as part of the e-Korean Studies Curricular Series.

15 March: Diaspora Is the Future
Korean Diaspora Colloquia Series presentation by documentary filmmaker Joseph Juhn.

22–24 January: East Asia Culture Power Research Workshop: Reconciliation and Coexistence of East Asian Countries
This international workshop was co-hosted with the Institute of Japanese Studies at Hallym University. Presenters examined questions of reconciliation, coexistence, and cultural relations in East Asia.

2023

5 September: Zainichi Koreans: A Historical and Cultural Examination
Part of the Korean Diaspora Colloquia Series, featuring presentations by Hyuknsoo Kim (Meiji University), Yangsuk Kwon (Sophia University), Jihye Chung (Tokyo Polytechnic University), and Inshil Yang (Iwate University).

13 July: Korean Canadian Student Reflections on Identity
Part of the Korean Diaspora Colloquia Series, presented by Ann Kim (York University, Toronto).

24–25 May: Newer Generation Asian Youths in North America, Oceania, and Europe: New Patterns of Assimilation, Re-ethnicization, and Ethnic Homeland
Co-hosted by the University of Auckland and Arizona State University with support from Kansai University, this international workshop was held in Osaka and featured sixteen research papers examining identity formation and transnational connections among younger generations of Asian diasporas.

17–18 February: Oceania Korean Studies Curricula Network Meeting
Held at the University of Auckland, this inaugural curriculum network meeting brought together delegates from universities in New Zealand, Australia, Korea, and Indonesia. Representatives from the Korean Studies Promotion Service of the Academy of Korean Studies, including Young-Kyun Yang and Sumin Kwak, also participated. Discussions focused on curriculum development, teaching experiences, and opportunities for collaboration in Korean Studies across Oceania.