In a press interview on the sidelines of the 5th International Conference on Korean Studies, Professor Chung-Sok Suh (Director of the Institute of Korean Studies, University of New South Wales - Australia) gave positive assessments of the development of Korean studies in Vietnam.
- According to the professor, what are the advantages of the introduction of Korean culture into Vietnam?First of all, Vietnam and Korea are two countries with many similarities in culture and society. That is the basis and also a very good potential for cultural interactions between the two peoples. Besides, Korea also wants to exchange and learn more about the culture and country of Vietnam. Therefore, we want to develop cooperation and cultural interaction in both directions between Vietnam and Korea.
- How do you evaluate the development of Korean studies in Vietnam and compare it with other countries in the region?There is no doubt that Korean studies in Vietnam are the most developed in the region. At the University of Social Sciences in Hanoi and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City, two major institutions that offer Korean studies training in Vietnam, we can see the great investment of time and effort, as well as the valuable enthusiasm in developing this field of study, from the schools, lecturers and students. The first step in the development of Korean studies in Vietnam was to focus on Korean language training, then expand to Korean culture and country, especially the increasingly strong exchange and cooperation between scholars of the two countries.
- Did the professor encounter any difficulties in the process of cooperating with Vietnamese scholars to develop this field of study?I can confirm that I have not encountered any difficulties in the process of cooperating with Vietnamese scientists. Moreover, currently, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi) is also the President of the Association for Korean Studies in Southeast Asia; and Vietnam is currently the center of Korean studies in Southeast Asia. I am very happy and honored to cooperate with Vietnamese scholars under the help of Prof. Nguyen Van Khanh.
- What is your opinion on the diplomatic cooperation between Vietnam and Korea in general and the cooperation between scholars of the two countries in particular?With cultural similarities, Vietnam and Korea have developed a good cooperative relationship, originating from more than 1000 years ago. Moreover, we have had close cooperation with Vietnamese scholars, especially with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi, to promote cooperation between the two countries, and jointly build development policies that bring mutual benefits to the two countries.
