UB Korea Corner officially opened

As of 18 December, the University Library (UB) of the University of Groningen has a special Korea Corner, a place where anyone interested in Korea can consult literature and digital information about the country. It is part of the Korean Studies programme currently being developed at the University.

The Corner was officially opened by Sibrand Poppema, President of the Board of the University, in the presence of Minister Counsellor Jong-Ho Choi of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. The Korea Corner is partly funded by the embassy and is intended to promote Asia among students.

The Korean Studies programme comprises the new East Asian Studies Master’s specialization and offers new course units in Korean political economy and several research positions.

Ideal place

Prof. Tjalling Halbertsma, director of the Centre for East Asia Studies Groningen (CEASG) is very happy with the Korea Corner. ‘Korea is booming but it is also confronted with huge challenges’, he explains. ‘Its economy is growing extremely fast and is highly innovative but the country also faces pressing security issues and social problems. The University offers students interested in Korea and Asia every opportunity to develop these interests, and the Korea Corner is the ideal place for supporting them.’

Exchanges with Pusan National University

After the opening of the Korea Corner, an exchange agreement between the University of Groningen and Pusan National University was signed. It enables students from Groningen to do placements at Korean companies, and organizations and students from Korea to spend time in Groningen.

International workshop

Scientists of Pusan National University also participated in a two-day international workshop organized this week by CEASG on the research and teaching of Korean Studies. The participants further included representatives of East Asia institutes in Germany, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands.