Ponyjeong Foundation Holds Academic Workshop to Present Humanities Research Achievements

by Han Jinjoo

Published 29 Feb.2024 17:04(KST)

On the 27th, the Ponyjeong Foundation held the '2024 Ponyjeong Academic Workshop' at Park Hyatt Seoul in Samseong-dong to share the achievements of Ponyjeong academic support researchers and promote academic exchange, the foundation announced on the 29th.

Jung Mong-gyu, Chairman of the Pony Jung Foundation (center), is taking a commemorative photo with academic support recipients Dr. Na Jong-hyun (first from the left) and Dr. Noh Tae-hoon (third from the left).

The event was attended by more than 30 domestic and international humanities scholars, including Ponyjeong Foundation Chairman Chung Mong-gyu, foundation board members, Lee Hyung-dae, Director of the Institute of Korean Ethnic Culture at Korea University, and Chung Byung-wook, Director of the International Center for Korean Studies at Korea University.

The workshop began with a progress report on the overview and major projects of the 'Global Korean Studies Support Program,' jointly operated by the Ponyjeong Foundation and the Institute of Korean Ethnic Culture at Korea University.

Derek Kramer, Professor of Korean Studies at the University of Sheffield, UK, explained 'The Cold War History of the Korean Peninsula and the History of Science and Technology' from the perspectives of de-hegemonization and decolonialism. Peter Moody, Ponyjeong Fellowship Research Professor, shared the progress of his research on 'Attempts at Decolonization of Korean Music after Liberation and Musicians Who Defected to North Korea.'

Johanna Garza, Research Professor, presented research results on 'The Globalization of K-Culture and the Role of Language,' focusing on Korean popular culture. In response, Kim Jung-won, a 2019 Ponyjeong academic support researcher and K-pop expert in musical anthropology, offered commentary.

2023 academic support researchers Dr. Seo Won-ju and Dr. Jeon Hu-min presented their research achievements over the past year, and a certificate awarding ceremony was held for this year’s emerging scholar recipients, Dr. Na Jong-hyun (Korean History) and Dr. Noh Tae-hoon (Literature) from Seoul National University.

The Ponyjeong Foundation held the 2024 Ponyjeong Academic Symposium on the 27th at Park Hyatt Seoul in Samseong-dong.

Established in 2005, the Ponyjeong Foundation has been carrying on the legacy of the late Chung Se-young, Honorary Chairman of Hyundai Development Company, who believed that "competitiveness arises when fundamentals are firmly established." Since 2009, the foundation has been supporting the humanities. Since 2013, through its academic support program, it provides emerging scholars within five years of obtaining their doctorate with 40 million KRW in research funding and 10 million KRW in publication support for one year. The foundation also operates the 'Ponyjeong Fellowship,' which invites overseas emerging Korean studies scholars as research professors at Korea University to support research and publication; the 'Minyeon Young Korean Studies Academy,' involving graduate students domestically and abroad; and the 'Ponyjeong Korean Studies Lectures,' which archives major lectures.

A representative of the Ponyjeong Foundation stated, "We will continue to gradually expand support projects in the humanities field and consistently create opportunities for humanities researchers to present their research achievements and form active human networks through in-depth academic exchanges."