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SCKS International Conference: Democracy in South Korea — understanding durability, stability and challenges

Date: Wednesday 18 June - Thursday 19 June 2025
Venue:
University of Edinburgh Scottish Centre for Korean Studies | Old College | South Bridge | Edinburgh, EH8 9YL | | [Map]

Tickets: Free |  
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The Scottish Centre for Korean Studies International Conference on Democracy in South Korea takes place at the University of Edinburgh, 18-19 June 2025:

Conference Programme

Wednesday 18th June (1. 06 Project Room, 50 GS)
09:30 – 10:00 Registration and opening remarks:

  • Prof. Nak-neon Kim, President, Academy of Korean Studies
  • Dr. Youngmi Kim, Director, Scottish Centre for Korean Studies
10:00 – 11:15 Panel 1: Joint Panel with Yun Posun Symposium on Current Major Issues of
South Korea’s Politics and Society
Chair: Dr. Ji-Eun Ahn, University of Edinburgh

Speakers:

  • Prof. Chan Wook Park, Seoul National University
  • Prof. Joon Han, Yonsei University

Discussants:

  • Prof. Hyug-Baeg Im, Korea University
  • Prof. Hyun-Chin Lim, Seoul National University
11:15 – 11:30 Tea break
11:30 – 12:45 Panel 2: Art-led Urban Regeneration in Gamcheon and Leith
Chair: Dr. Euisol Jeong, Baekseok University

Speakers:

  • Mr. Kyunghoon Lee, Saha Province, Busan Metropolitan City Council
  • Ms. Kuesong Yim, Saha Province, Busan Metropolitan City Council
  • Dr. Youngmi Kim, University of Edinburgh
  • Mr. Richard Price, Former Chair of Cockburn Association in Edinburgh

Discussants:

  • Dr. Sangduck Kim, Hanshin University
12:45 – 13:30 Lunch break
13:30 – 15:00 Panel 3: Roundtable on Presidential impeachment
Chair: Dr. Youngmi Kim, University of Edinburgh

Speakers:

  • Prof. Hyun-Chin Lim, Seoul National University
  • Prof. Hyug-Baeg Im, Korea University
  • Prof. Yoonkyung Lee, University of Toronto
  • Dr. Myungji Yang, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa

Discussants:

  • Dr. Jong-Chol An, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
  • Dr. Miongsei Kang, Seoul National University
  • Dr. Suk-Ki Kong, Seoul National University
  • Dr. Jong-Cheol Kim, Seoul National University
15:00 – 15:15 Tea break
15:15 – 17:00 Panel 4: Democracy in Crisis?: between vulnerability and resilience
Chair: Dr. Myungji Yang, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa

Speakers:

  • Prof. Kyung Hoon Leem, Seoul National University
  • Dr. Hannes Mosler, University of Duisburg-Essen
  • Dr. Sangduck Kim, Hanshin University
  • Dr. Soon-Ok Shin, European University Institute

Discussants:

  • Dr. Ji Young Choi, Ohio Wesleyan University
  • Dr. Matteo Fumagalli, University of St Andrews
17:00 – 19:00 Panel 5: Battles on Democracy: regime, ideology and gender
Chair: Dr. Hee Kyoung Chang, University of Duisburg-Essen

Speakers:

  • Prof. Kwang-Il Yoon, Sookmyung Women’s University
  • Dr. Ji Young Choi, Ohio Wesleyan University
  • Dr. Eunbin Chung, University of Utah
  • Dr. Han-Wool Jeong, Korean People Research Institute
  • Dr. Euisol Jeong, Baekseok University

Discussant:

  • Prof. Yoonkyung Lee, University of Toronto,
  • Prof. Kyung Hoon Leem, Seoul National University
19:00 Dinner – Evening meal served onsite
Thursday 19th June (G.01 Davidson Lecture Theatre, The Lister Learning and Teaching Centre)
9:30 – 11:00 Panel 6: Korean Wave: media, language and philosophy
Chair: Dr. Sangduck Kim, Hanshin University

Speakers:

  • Ms. Tonghui Li, University of Edinburgh
  • Dr. Hana Jee, York St. John University
  • Prof. So-Jeong Park, Sungkyungkwan University

Discussant:

  • Dr. Hee Kyoung Chang, University of Duisburg-Essen
  • Prof. Joon Han, Yonsei University
11:00 – 11:15 Tea break
11:15 – 13:15 Panel 7: Martial Law Crisis: dynamics of geopolitics and resistance
Chair: Dr. Sera Yeong Seo Park, University of St Andrews

Speakers:

  • Dr. Jong-Chol An, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
  • Dr. Jamie Doucette, University of Manchester
  • Dr. Hee Kyoung Chang, University of Duisburg-Essen
  • Prof. Chae Won Lim, Kyung Hee University
  • Dr. Sookeung Jung & Prof. Eun-Jeung Lee, Freie Universität Berlin

Discussant:

  • Prof. Kwang-Il Yoon, Sookmyung Women’s University
  • Dr. Eunbin Chung, University of Utah
13:15 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 15:15 Panel 8: Korean Wave: bridging the past, present and future
Chair: Dr. Yue Yang, University of Edinburgh

Speakers:

  • Dr. Guy Puzey, University of Edinburgh
  • Ms. Dongwon Lee, Artist
  • Prof. Chae Won Lim, Kyung Hee University

Discussants:

  • Dr. Jong-Chol An, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
  • Prof. Eun-Jeung Lee, Freie Universität Berlin
15:15 – 15:30 Closing remarks and publication project plan

  • Dr. Ji-Eun Ahn, University of Edinburgh (closing remarks)
  • Dr. Youngmi Kim, Director, Scottish Centre for Korean Studies (publication plan)