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eaves of a Korean home

Until the end of the 1980s, the major focus of research in East Asian Studies was Japanese and Chinese Studies, with sporadic but limited research being undertaken on Korean studies. Korean Studies in Australia and New Zealand gained momentum from the late 1980s, and universities and high schools have revised their curricula to reflect the change by providing an increasing number of subjects exploring Korean Studies.

KRI began as the Korea-Australasia Research Centre (KAREC) in June 2000. Its major aims included establishing cooperative research networks among scholars in Korean studies and Korea-related research, conducting research projects on important public policy issues in the region, and contributing to policy formation in the related areas.

In 2003, KRI played a key role in establishing the Korean Studies Association of Southeast Asia (KoSASA), which has now extended to eight top-tier universities in Southeast Asia and numerous government and non-government organisations.

In 2006, after being officially endorsed by the Korean government, KRI was selected by the Korean Ministry of Education and the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) to become the leading research and education hub for Korean studies in Australasia and Southeast Asia. In 2011, KAREC became Korea Research Initiatives (KRI).

In 2011 and 2015, KRI was selected by the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) to conduct ‘Laboratory Program for Korean Studies’ projects. This is the most competitive and academically rigorous funding scheme provided by the AKS to a small number of research institutes globally. KRI is the only institution to have received this funding over two consecutive terms, highlighting our success in advancing Korean Studies on a global scale.

In 2015, KRI formed a strategic Universities-Government Intuitions Networks with the aim of conducting collaborative and comparative research on public policy in Southeast Asia, Australasia and Korea. The network aims to undertake Comparative Public Policy Research (CPPR) under the coordination of KRI. The CPPR Forum consists of research partners from Korea, Australia and eight Southeast Asian universities and government research institutes. 

Tribute to late Executive Director Professor Chung-Sok Suh

Professor Chung-Sok Suh’s passing on 25 August 2015, due to ill health was a tragic loss for KRI and the ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç community. 

The following extract from the International Review of Korean Studies reviews his career and the strong links and relationships he established within ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼÇ, Australia, Korea and eight Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar) at a professional and personal level. In memory of this legacy, ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Sydney awards a Professor Suh Scholarship and the Korean Studies Association of Australasia introduced two awards under his name.

The following obituary is extracted from the International Review of Korean Studies, Volume 13, Number 1, 2016 with permission from the editor-in-chief in memory of the late Professor Suh.
Aran Anderson Photography 2014

  • In memoriam: Professor Chung-Sok Suh

    Youngok Kim
    ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Business School, ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Australia

    On the 25th of August 2015, Professor Chung-Sok Suh passed away unexpectedly. The community of scholars that contributes to the International Review of Korean Studies (IROKS) deeply mourns the sudden passing of Professor Suh who had been its Editor-in-Chief since 2004. Professor Suh was an outstanding scholar and a visionary leader in the disciplines of International Business and Korean Studies. Many will remember him as a valued colleague, leader and friend. His tireless work and dedication in promoting Korean studies in Australia and Southeast Asia elevated the profile of ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Australia as one of the world’s leading research hubs for Korean studies.

    Professor Suh began his career as a lecturer in Economics at ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Australia in 1989 and he later joined the School of International Business (currently the School of Management) in 1998. He was a highly respected member of the School of Management. Serving in various capacities at ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼÇ, he played an important role in expanding the profile of the university. He contributed over 70 publications in highly-regarded journals, books and conference proceedings, dealing with the topics including Asian economic development models, internationalization strategy, processes of multinational enterprises, foreign direct investment of East Asian economies, government-business relations and international trade. The foundation of knowledge advanced by Professor Suh will conti