Laboratory of Korean history and culture

The Laboratory of Korean History and Culture was established in 2018 based on the decision of the Academic Council of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Minutes No. 1 of 11/21/2018) and the order of the Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences dated November 28, 2018 as an interdivision group history and culture within the main areas:

the cultural and spiritual heritage of Korea, the age-old traditions and the modern development of historical-cultural, trade-economic, political-diplomatic relations between Russia and Korea, the history and current situation of the Korean diaspora in Russia.

The main tasks and areas of research:

1. A scientific study of the historical, cultural and spiritual heritage of Korea.
2. Translation and commenting on the fundamental historical, philosophical and literary monuments of Korea.
3. Storage, replenishment, description and further digitization of a separate collection of personal collections of manuscripts and published works, rare works of leading Russian scientists on Korea in support of the traditional Russian oriental studies traditional for IOS RAS as one of the oldest academic institutions in Russia
4. Expanding ideas about the relationship of Korea with Russia, the distinctive features of Russian diplomacy in Korea and the traditions of its initial stage, which could contribute to the development of relations between modern Russia and the two Koreas.
5. Disclosure of the new facets of the “Russian presence in Korea” (the activities of diplomats, military instructors, Orthodox missionaries, merchants and their role in the economic, political, scientific and cultural life of the country).
6. The study of the history of Russian expeditions to Korea in the 19th and early 20th centuries, which marked the first cultural and diplomatic meetings between Korea and the West, began a systematic and in-depth study of the country and the formation of practical Korean studies.
7. Preparation of monographs in the Russian Koreans series of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences about prominent members of the Russian Korean diaspora from among political and public figures, scholars, and military who played a significant role in the life of the Korean people and Russia who participated in the liberation of their historical homeland from the Japanese colonialists.
8. Publications of archival sources and memories.
9. Strengthening international relations of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences with foreign scientific centers of the Republic of Korea, the DPRK, the People's Republic of China, Japan, Mongolia and the United States, establishing permanent links with the most prominent historians of East Asia, establishing and intensifying scientific cooperation between academic institutions and workers of Russia and the Republic of Korea and the DPRK.

Work is planned within the following research projects:

1. The international (Korean-Russian) translation project (creation history, transfer and current state, interpretation, translation proper) under the supervision of Director of the Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences V.P. Androsov of the Korean Buddhist canon “Sokpo Sanjol” [The Seokbosangjeol (釋 譜 詳 節]) - a biography of the Buddha with a selection of his sermons collected and compiled by King Sedgio and translated from Chinese sources, the first known example of the translation of Buddhist sutras from Chinese into Korean, first published in 24 volumes in 1447.
   This text is one of the earliest printed examples of Korean Hangul characters and can be called the first Tripitaka Hangul. The translation will be the first attempt to present the work in Russian and in European language.
2. Creation of the Fund for the placement of personal collections of Russian Koreans, which is the basis of the  Laboratory of Korean history and culture, the main task of which will be the storage, replenishment and further digitization of a separate, growing collection of personal collections of manuscripts and published works, rare works of leading Russian scientists on Korea, support of the traditional Russian oriental studies traditional for the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences as one of the oldest academic institutions in Russia.
   It will include unique collections:
   1) L.R.Kontsevich
   2) Yu.V. Vanina
   3) Myung Don Uk
   4) Lee Gen Ding
   5) Kim Lechun
   6) Ryu Hakku
   7) B.D.Paka
   8) Ho Un Ba
   9) Choi Myung Hee and others.
3. Publication of monographs - biographies and memoirs of Russian diplomats who have made the greatest contribution to the development of Russian-Korean relations (EF Stein and others) in the series “Russian diplomats in the countries of the East”.
4. Publications of monographs, articles on Korean-Russian relations.
5. Collection of archival materials about Russian expeditions to Korea, publication of travel diaries of Russian travelers.
6. Preparation of monographs in the series of Russian Academy of Sciences “Russian Koreans” (chief editor of the series: Doctor of Historical Sciences BB Pack).
7. Assistance in strengthening international relations of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences with foreign scientific centers of East Asia, establishing and intensifying scientific cooperation between academic institutions and employees of Russia and the Republic of Korea and the DPRK.
8. Conducting events that serve to establish scientific cooperation between scientific institutions and employees of Russia, the Republic of Korea and the DPRK:
   1) Conducting Russian-Korean scientific seminars and conferences;
   2) Holding exhibitions on the history and culture of Russia and Korea;
   3) Book presentations;
   4) Other.