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 a positive assessment 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 South Korea share many cultural and social similarities. This provides a solid foundation and excellent potential for cultural interaction between the two nations. Furthermore, South Korea is eager to engage in cultural exchange and learn more about Vietnamese culture and the country itself. Therefore, we aim to develop reciprocal cultural exchange, cooperation, and interaction between Vietnam and South Korea.
- Professor, how do you assess the development of Korean studies in Vietnam, and how does it compare to other countries in the region?There is no doubt that Korean studies in Vietnam are the most developed in the region. At the Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the two major institutions offering Korean studies in Vietnam, we can see the significant investment of time and effort, as well as the valuable enthusiasm in developing this field of study, from the universities, 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 the country itself, especially through the increasingly strong exchange and cooperation between scholars of the two countries.
- Did the professor encounter any difficulties in collaborating with Vietnamese scholars to develop this field of study?I can confidently say that I have encountered no difficulties whatsoever in collaborating with Vietnamese scientists. Furthermore, Professor Nguyen Van Khanh (Rector of the Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities) is currently the President of the Association for Korean Studies in Southeast Asia; and Vietnam is currently a center of Korean studies in Southeast Asia. I am very pleased and honored to be able to collaborate with Vietnamese scholars under the guidance of Professor Nguyen Van Khanh.
- Professor, what are your observations regarding diplomatic cooperation between Vietnam and South Korea in general, and cooperation between scholars of the two countries in particular?With shared cultural similarities, Vietnam and South Korea have developed a strong cooperative relationship, dating back over 1000 years. Furthermore, we have maintained close cooperation with Vietnamese scholars, particularly with the Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities, to promote collaboration between the two countries and jointly develop policies that benefit both nations.
