Northeast Asia Foundation to hold meeting with foreign students

Participants in the Northeast Asian History Academy for Foreigners pose during their field trip to South Korea’s easternmost islet of Dokdo on Oct. 18. / Courtesy of Northeast Asian History Foundation

By Jun Ji-hye

The Northeast Asian History Foundation (NAHF) has invited attendees of its special program, the Northeast Asian History Academy for Foreigners, to a dinner Wednesday to provide them with an opportunity to discuss issues with foundation staffers.

Twenty foreigners who study or work here have been invited to the event. A similar event for another 20 was held on Oct. 8.

Before the dinner, there will be a lecture by Jung Ho-sub, history professor of Hansung University, about the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Northeast Project.

The project is supported financially by the Chinese government and argues that a historical Korean kingdom existed near the border of present-day North Korea and Northeast China. This differs from the opinions of some progressive scholars here who say that Korea’s first kingdom, Gojoseon, controlled much of present day northeast China, including the capital city of Beijing.

The Northeast Asian History Academy for Foreigners, which began on Sept. 3, will run through Dec. 17. The program includes special lectures on diplomatic issues in East Asia and field trips to Ulleung Island, South Korea’s easternmost islets of Dokdo and the Demilitarized Zone dividing South and North Korea.

At the dinner to be held at the First Floor restaurant near the headquarters of the foundation in western Seoul, attendees will be encouraged to discuss how they felt about their Dokdo trip Oct. 17-19, as well as the lectures they have listened to thus far.

“Seok Tong-youn, secretary general of the foundation, will attend to listen to feedback from attendees about the program,” said the NAHF in a press release.