Pukyong National University Publishes Research Series "Exploring the Dynamics of the Northeast Asian Maritime Region and Humanities Networks"

Edited by the Humanities Korea Plus (HK+) Project Team

The Humanities Korea Plus (HK+) Project Group at Pukyong National University has published the new maritime humanities research series "Exploring the Dynamics of the Northeast Asian Maritime Region and Humanities Networks" (Somyung Publishing) this month.

Cover of the book Exploring the Dynamics of the Northeast Asian Maritime Area and Human Networks.

This book approaches the historical, cultural, and social changes centered on the Northeast Asian maritime region from multiple perspectives, examining the formation and development of humanities networks in the region while reflecting on the continuity and discontinuity with the premodern era.

Containing 11 essays across three parts, the book focuses on understanding the historical context leading to contemporary Northeast Asian relations and actively discusses how these have transformed through the post-Cold War era.

The first part addresses trends and prospects in Northeast Asian maritime humanities research. Professors Seo Gwangdeok and Son Dongju explain that Korea’s maritime humanities research gained renewed attention amid the late 20th-century humanities crisis and the spread of postmodernism. They analyze the achievements of Korea’s maritime humanities research, especially the results from Pukyong National University’s HK+ Project Group, and suggest future research directions. Professor Xiu Bin (修斌) notes that China’s recent active maritime humanities research is intertwined with social and policy environment changes. He analyzes the current status and issues of maritime humanities in China and East Asia and explores ways to promote peace and prosperity in the East Asian maritime region through scholarly exchanges.

The second part examines urban spaces and mobility in the Northeast Asian maritime region. Professor Gong Mihee points out issues such as fishermen’s livelihood difficulties, the disappearance of traditional fishing culture, and environmental destruction caused by the construction of the new Gadukdo Airport. She emphasizes the need to seek development plans where fishing and tourism can coexist by applying the example of Japan’s Kansai International Airport.

Professor Lee Sangwon analyzes the historical transformation of Sasebo City in Japan, exploring from a humanities perspective the changes in regional identity, urban landscape, and residents’ responses occurring during the preservation of Sasebo’s modernization heritage and the revitalization of tourism. He explains various sociocultural changes in this process.

The third part deals with cultural contact and transformation in the Northeast Asian maritime region. Professor Lee Minkyeong examines how the Guan Yu faith took root and developed in the Minnan (??南) region of Fujian Province, China, explaining that the Guan Yu faith, which evolved uniquely by combining with local culture, now carries political, social, and cultural implications beyond folk religion.

Professor Lim Sangmin analyzes changes in Busan during the Japanese imperial era, focusing on bookstores. He investigates the influence of the Joseon Booksellers’ Cooperative on the book distribution system and deeply explores the social changes and the role of bookstores through disputes over the sales rights of state textbooks in the early 1930s.

This book deeply addresses cultural, social, and economic changes in each region through historical events and modern reinterpretations in the Northeast Asian maritime region. It aligns with the agenda of Pukyong National University’s Humanities Korea Plus (HK+) Project Group, which has conducted the "Study on the Dynamics of the Northeast Asian Maritime Region and Humanities Networks" for seven years, revealing the context of Northeast Asian relations from the premodern era to the present.

Kim Changkyung, head of the Pukyong National University HK+ Project Group, stated, “This series comprehensively analyzes the history, culture, and society of Northeast Asia, setting a new standard for maritime humanities research. It provides profound insights for the sustainable development and exchange in Northeast Asia and is expected to offer significant implications not only to academia but also to all those interested in Northeast Asia.”

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