Global 5-5-10: Korean Studies Merging Humanities and Social Sciences into Korean Studies In Yonsei’s Global 5-5-10 Program, Korean Studies is a singular area. It is the only humanities area included among the 12 fields selected. The Committee for the Advancement of Korean Studies was established in September, 2006, to follow in the footsteps of its precursor, the Committee for the Advancement of National Studies (established in 1992), in its role as the mediator and coordinator of the various Korean Studies-related fields and institutions in the Yonsei community. Unlike in the other 11 fields chose for the Global 5-5-10 Program, Korean Studies at Yonsei consists of many different institutions, making it possible to achieve synergy among the humanities and the social sciences. Participating in-house institutions include: Institute of Korean Studies, Institute of Language & Information Studies, Institute of the Humanities, Institute of East and West Studies, Institute of State Governance, and Institute for Korean Unification Studies. We met Professor Lim Yong Ki of the Department of Korean Language and Literature, who is the chairman of the Committee, to hear his views on the advancement of Korean Studies. Seeking to Define the Concept of Korean Studies The first thing that must be done in order to advance Korean Studies is the establishment of the concept itself. When most people hear the word “Korean Studies,” they think of literature, history, and philosophy, but Professor Lim stated that the concept could be expanded to include East-Asian politics, economics, society, and culture. Since September, the Yonsei Korean Studies Forum has convened four times already, in an effort to establish and come to an understanding of the concept of Korean Studies. Korean Studies at Yonsei, Standing Proud Professor Lim explained, “The pride and status of Yonsei Korean Studies lies in the fact that the torch of Korean Studies was passed on by eminent scholars without interruption during the Japanese Cololnial Occupation. Korean Studies for them symbolized national identity that was to be defended at all cost. After we regained our sovereignty, these scholars worked to advance Korean Studies even further.” Dr. Widang Jeong In-bo, Dr. Oesol Choi Hyun Bae, and historian Dr. Hong Yi-seop had successfully preserved the legacy of Korean Studies and, in 1948, established the Institute for Korean Studies, the first among Korean universities. Dongbang Hakji, a Korean Studies journal that began to circulate in 1953 is still being published to this day. The Yonsei Korean Dictionary, which was published in 1992, is also a source of great pride. It is the first Korean language dictionary to include examples from works of literature. It will not be an easy task to incorporate social sciences into this long tradition of humanities, but it is the direction in which Korean Studies at Yonsei must go. How to Advance Korean Studies It is crucial to establish a cooperative network relationship with researchers and research institutions worldwide. To do this, the Committee is conducting research on the current status of Korean Studies researchers both domestic and international. Letting the world know of what we have achieved is also important. The Committee is planning on increasing the amount of publications in the international scene. International scholars will be invited to the Yonsei Korean Studies Forum, which, up to now, was mainly a gathering of Korean nationals, and will work toward creating an atmosphere of mutual understanding and cooperation. Professor Lim also added, “We will also be hosting international conferences to show the uniqueness of Yonsei’s Korean Studies.”