The Current Status of Korean Studies in France and the Revitalization of Korean Independence Movement

Abstract

Korean Studies research in France has achieved remarkable growth both quantitatively and qualitatively due to Korea's economic growth and increasing cultural influence. Currently, in-depth research is being conducted across all fields, expanding the scope to Korean studies as a whole, not just Korean language education. Unfortunately, however, the field of research on the history of the independence movement is far from the interest of institutions, researchers, and students. In this situation, the emergence of the Korean-French Independence Movement History Research Association (Libertas), founded in 2017, is encouraging. Members held several international academic conferences related to the history of the Korean independence movement, and achieved significant results through active activities such as excavation of a large number of materials and posthumous writings of independence activists. Although the framework for research and dissemination of the history of the Korean independence movement in France has been established, it is still in a basic state due to realistic limitations. Financial and academic support, as well as the interest and active participation of many researchers in Korea, are needed to vitalize research on the history of the independence movement.