Korea University-University of Macau hold a joint workshop on Peace and Co-existence in East Asia

A total of 40 people, including 29 undergraduate students (11 from KU and 18 from University of Macau), participated in various academic exchanges such as workshops, lectures, and field trips to visit cultural and historic sites under the theme “Peace and co-existence in East Asia.” The workshop took place on November 2 and 3 at the KU Research Institute of Korean Studies and Woodang Hall.

On the morning of November 2, Professor Eon Jong Kim (Department of Classical Chinese), an expert in East Asian Studies, gave a lecture entitled “The origin of Korean-Chinese culture” and Doctor Wong Bi Yun (Department of Korean Language and Literature) delivered a lecture in Chinese entitled “Hwa-ee-bu-dong,” meaning harmony in diversity, dealing with Korean-Chinese Classical Literature at the Research Institute of Korean Studies. This led to a comparative analysis on the differences between Chinese and Korean cultures, the acceptance of Chinese culture, the transformation and indigenization into Korean culture, and the establishment of Korea’s unique culture. The lectures were followed by a Q&A session on various relevant issues.

On the morning of the following day, group discussions (three discussion groups carried out in Chinese and one group in English) relevant to the main theme of “Towards peace and co-existence in East Asia” took place based on the discussion materials prepared by the students from both countries. This was then followed by each group leader’s presentations. A forum was organized for discussion and exchange purposes based on students’ various perspectives on Chinese-Korean culture, ideologies, relevant areas concerning peace, and co-existence in East Asia.

In the afternoon sessions of both days, students visited Changdeok Palace and the KU Museum, and then went on a KU campus tour. Participants also had the opportunity to watch a Korean traditional farm music (nongak) performance as well as a Chinese cultural performance led by the University of Macau. Engaging in such activities helped raise students’ understandings of Korean and Chinese traditional cultures.

As part of the international exchange program in Humanities, this workshop achieved its goal of active student exchange. In addition to deepening academic exchanges between students from the University of Macau and KU, the workshop played a significant role in promoting mutual understanding among students from both universities.