Institute of Youngnam Culture Research

Purpose of Establishment

홈 > Introduction > Purpose of Establishment

1. The purpose and background of the establishment

Youngnam has been a crucial place for both academic and cultural development throughout Korean history. Therefore, preserving and developing this traditional inheritance of Youngnam is an important requirement of the local community. Furthermore, Kyungpook National University is a prominent university, located in the Youngnam area, leading Korean traditional studies.

However, in the past 50 years since its foundation, the University had been devoid of the relevant institutes for local tradition studies . Actually, there had been small institutes, such as 'Eastern Culture Institute' and other relevant institutes, but they remained with only minor interest and were insufficient to lead to comprehensive Korean Studies including Youngnam Studies as the center of the locality.

Back then, before the millennium, Kyungpook National University was facing fierce competition and the tide of globalization, and the establishment of the institution for Korean Studies was no longer delayed. Therefore, related researchers strengthened their ties to establish institutes which are specialized and comprehensive for Korean studies to actively contribute to the globalization in this academic field.

The establishment purpose states that, "The institute will solidify the identity of Korean Studies and contribute to leading international interdisciplinary work of the university by combining the fields of Korean Studies pertaining to the Youngnam area, such as language, literature, history, philosophy, society, economy and arts". So far this purpose has been fulfilled.

Kyungpook National University Global Plaza

2. Establishment Details.

Great attention has been shown to the problem that Kyungpook National University is devoid of any institute, which conducts comprehensive research in Korean Studies. Although, since October 1997, the researchers in this field had discussed the practical way to establish the institute, it had not been realized. Then, from October 1999, this movement revived and was accelerated by Park, Seong Bong (the first

director of the institute and currently the honorary professor of the Dept. of History), following his announcement to donate the establishment fund for the organization to support Korean Studies Information Center. This fund is also for the establishment of the institute and Yeongjungdang library with a collection of books of Professor Park's own.

경북대학교 본관측면

On November 3rd 1999, the first meeting took place and the Establishment Committee was set up with a chairperson Lee, Byeonghyu and an assistant administrator Baek, Doohyeon. Until June 19 2000, there were 24 Establishment Committee meetings and this intense effort paid off with the establishment of the Institute. The name of the Institute was selected as Youngnam Culture Institute of Kyungpook National University, on June 3 2000, after a series of meetings. This name is to satisfy the status of Kyungpook National University, as the Flagship Korean National University in the Youngnam area, and to be in sync with Specialized University Projects.

The Regulation of Youngnam Culture Institute of Kyungpook National University was promulgated on June 15 2000, and the opening ceremony of the institute was held on July 3 2000. Prof. Park, Seongbong was appointed as the first executive director, Prof. Ju, Bodon as associate president, and other heads of research departments were appointed respectively. On the very date of the opening ceremony, the director, Prof. Park donated the foundation fund of 150 million won, and the university school invested matching funds of 150 million won and the faculty members made a united effort to donate the development funds, making the ceremony more meaningful and honorable. Hereby, Youngnam Culture Institute, which is an affiliated organization of Kyungpook National University and comprehensive organization of Korean Studies, was established.