News
Wednesday 24 August 2022
Alexander Vorontsov: "The Path of an Orientalist"
On the 24th of August 2022, the second distance lecture took place within the framework of the meetings series “The Path of the Orientalist”, which was conducted by Alexander Vorontsov, Ph.D. in History, Head of Korea and Mongolia Department, the Institute of Oriental Studies (the Russian Academy of Sciences).
Since the 17th of August 2022, the Young Scientists Council of the Institute of Oriental Studies (the Russian Academy of Sciences) has been holding a lectures series named “The Path of an Orientalist”. At these lectures the outstanding researchers of the Institute of Oriental Studies tell students and undergraduates of the Russian universities about their professional path development.
The format involves live communication in an informal setting and has already shown its productivity. The young researchers send a large number of questions on a variety of topics: from theoretical scientific problems to practical recommendations on their professional activities. Alexander Vorontsov's lecture was no exception.
The main topic of discussion was North Korea. The Head of Korea and Mongolia Department answered questions about Juche, missile tests, urban life, as well as modern construction in North Korea, and studying at Pyongyang University, named after Kim Ir Sen.
Alexander Vorontsov noted the zealous attitude of Korean course mates to study, which prompted foreign students, voluntarily or involuntarily, to meet the high standards. However, as in any work, there was also a place for leisure at ideological seminars, sports grounds, and film evenings at the USSR Embassy. At these events a good circle of friends- the Korean Studies scholars was formed, with whom A.V. Vorontsov keeps in touch to this day.
Alexander Vorontsov considers the given opportunity to work in the Press Bureau of the USSR Embassy a great success. As a result, a large amount of material was collected (communiques, translations of meetings, etc.), which became a good base for writing a thesis on the topic of relations between North Korea and the developing countries. The high-ranking colleagues considered their level to be almost ready for a PhD thesis.
However, after entering the full-time postgraduate studies at the Institute of Oriental Studies (the Russian Academy of Sciences), the topic of the dissertation had to be changed on the recommendation of the main mentor - Georgy Kim, the Deputy Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Corresponding Member of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the USSR Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Historical Sciences.
As a result, the final work of A. Vorontsov was devoted to the relations triangle between the USA - Japan - South Korea. Mr. Vorontsov is very grateful to his mentor for this topic.
Separately, it is worth emphasizing the vast geography of the event participants: due to the remote format, representatives of the leading universities not only in Moscow, but throughout Russia came to the lecture.