Centre of Korean Studies at SOAS University of London

The Chair of CKS says:

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all – students, CKS members, visiting scholars and others - to a new exciting academic session 2021/22. I am honoured to resume my role as Chair of the Centre of Korean Studies, a position I have held twice previously (2004-2007 and 2009-2013).

SOAS has one of the largest concentrations of Korean Studies scholars in Europe and offers a wide range of programmes and courses on Korea. With its active outreach programme and seminar series, our Centre not only coordinates Korea-related activities within the School, but also serves as a national and international forum for interdisciplinary exchange among Koreanists.

This academic session we will continue with our Friday evening seminars and will organise film screenings and other Korea-related events, so please join our mailing list to receive e-bulletins for events notifications and other information. I look forward to seeing you all at our events this year!

Stay connected with the CKS

We produce, on a fortnightly basis during term time, a News and Updates eBulletin which provides information about the activities of the SOAS Centre of Korean Studies.

The eBulletin highlights the latest events, funding and knowledge being shared and other topical opportunities that we think will be of interest to you.

eBulletin sign up

Facts and figures

17: members of staff, from all the disciplines represented at the School, make up the largest concentration of Korean specialists in Europe.

Teaching

One of two only universities in the UK to offer a BA degree in Korean
Two bursaries for students undertaking a postgraduate Korean Studies programme - currently valued at the UK/EU tuition fees rate up to a maximum of £5,000.
SOAS is ranked 2nd in the UK in the Times & Sunday Times University League Table 2015, 5th in the Complete University Guide 2015 (East & South East Asia)

Research

One of the main activities of the CKS is the ongoing public seminar series. Speakers include researchers, writers, artists and other experts from around the world from diverse fields related to Korea. The seminars are held regularly throughout the academic year.

The SOAS-AKS Working Papers in Korean Studies (II) are an outlet for research-in-progress by European, Korean and Global scholarship. Open to a wide range of contributions in the field of Korean Studies, it is particularly aimed at the dissemination of research that has been conducted or presented under the auspices of the AKS Overseas Leading University programmes in Korean Studies.

View the recent publications by CKS staff members.

The annual review, Korea at SOAS, is produced by the Centre and is published once a year (September). The review reports the activities of the Centre and its member and lists past and forthcoming events in SOAS.

Events

View more events

Fri20May

Making “Aristocracy” of Koryŏ Dynasty (918-1392) in Korean Historiography

Since the early twentieth century there has been an ongoing discussion regarding the ruling class in Koryŏ dynasty (918-1392). This debate is very much related to the arguments about the development of Korean history. In this talk, Hyosub Kim will discuss how the debate defining Koryŏ’s ruling class as the aristocracy has developed since the 1960s.

Tue07Jun

Celebrating 50 years of Gay pride in Britain / A special SOAS event celebrating African, Asian and Middle Eastern contributions to Queer London

Exploring key sites of importance from protest spaces, parties and meeting spaces and their spiritual, psychological, emotional value to Queer London.