Dong-Eui University East Asia Research Institute Holds International Academic Conference with the Korean Association for Modern Japanese Studies

Presentation and Discussion of 45 Papers on the Theme of 'History of Zainichi Koreans and Japanese Society'

The Dong-Eui University East Asia Research Institute held an international academic conference with the Korean Association for Modern Japanese Studies.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The East Asia Research Institute at Dong-Eui University (Director Lee Kyung-gyu) jointly hosted an international academic conference on the theme of "The History of Zainichi Koreans and Japanese Society" with the Korean-Japanese Modern Studies Association (President Shin Kyung-ho, Professor at Japan's Kokushikan University) on the 22nd.

Experts from Korea and Japan participated in this online conference, where it was argued that related academic circles and civil society in both countries must actively engage to improve the deteriorating Korea-Japan relations.

Following the keynote speech, six subcommittee sessions including the History and Culture Division and the Multicultural Coexistence Division featured 45 paper presentations and lively discussions.

In his greeting, Shin Kyung-ho, president of the Korean-Japanese Modern Studies Association, stated, "Korea-Japan relations have faced many difficulties over the past decades whenever tensions arose from issues such as historical disputes and territorial claims over Dokdo, but these challenges were wisely overcome."

President Shin emphasized, "Members of the association, which includes many experts from Korea and Japan, should engage in mutual discussions on these pressing issues and take a more proactive role in resolving them."

Following this, Professor Lee Soo-kyung of Tokyo Gakugei University delivered a lecture titled "The Traces of the Hardships of Zainichi Koreans and Japanese Civil Society," pointing out, "The early lives of Zainichi Koreans were a struggle against various discriminations amid the chaos of a defeated nation. Despite harsh conditions, the foundation for coexistence was established through the voices of many civil society groups advocating for Zainichi Koreans with conscientious humanitarianism and calling for thorough reflection on the history of wartime aggression. The role of Japanese civil society remains crucial going forward."

Professor Izao Tomio of Yamaguchi Prefectural University gave a lecture titled "Borders, Gates, Frontlines."

He emphasized, "I reflected on Yamaguchi as a border with the Korean Peninsula, as a gate for exchanges, and as the frontline facing the Korean Peninsula. It is necessary to reconsider the arduous lives of Koreans who crossed the Korea Strait countless times and the Korea-Japan relationship from a contemporary perspective."

Lee Kyung-gyu, director of the East Asia Research Institute at Dong-Eui University, said, "This was a meaningful time to seek clues for resolving recent Korea-Japan relations through heated discussions on the numerous issues facing the relationship, and it served as an opportunity to look back on the past of Busan, where the history of Korea-Japan relations is concentrated."

The East Asia Research Institute is conducting a humanities and social sciences research institute support project funded by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea, titled "Declassification and Database Construction of Diplomatic Documents Related to Zainichi Koreans after Liberation."

The Korean-Japanese Modern Studies Association is an academic organization with about 500 members who are researchers in humanities and social sciences related to Korea-Japan studies, including history. Over the past 20 years, the spring academic conferences have been held in Korea and the fall academic conferences in Japan on a rotating basis.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.