Korean Confucianism - Foreword

Korea achieved extraordinary economic development today by overcoming historical crises and hardships with wisdom and intelligence. The foundation for such development is the result of South Korea’s harmonious integration of various characteristics like traditional culture, social structure, emphasis on education and politics. Accordingly, it is indeed a timely required task to broaden our understanding of South Korea by re-examining the engine of its miraculous development including its rich cultural heritage and economic achievements and by sharing new findings with the world.

Since its establishment in 1978, the Academy of Korean Studies has striven to develop and creatively preserve Korean culture. In doing so, the Academy of Korean Studies not only published many specialized academic books in Korean studies but also provided overseas scholastic support by training and producing Korean studies experts. Today, the Academy of Korean Studies faces a new opportunity to move forward in elevating the importance of Korean Studies in the world on the occasion of the rise of the Korean wave and professionalism in the field.

In this regard, I am delighted to see the publication of Korean Confucianism, the third book in the Understanding Korea Series. I hope that this book will contribute to deepening the international understanding of Korea and stimulate more interest in the creativity and authenticity of Korean culture. Finally, I would like to thank research members of the Center for International Affairs who made this publication possible.

February 2015

LEE Bae Yong, Ph.D.

President of the Academy of Korean Studies