Ceremony to introduce and present the textbook "Modern Korean Society"

On August 19, 2008, at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU), a ceremony was held to introduce and present the textbook “Modern Korean Society”. This is one of the products of the collaborative project to publish textbooks on Korean studies between Seoul National University and Hanoi National University, which has been implemented for 3 years.

Attending the introduction ceremony were Mr. Im Hong-je - Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Vietnam, Mr. Paik Nak-Whan - former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Vietnam, Mr. Kim Shin Bok - Vice President of Seoul National University, Mr. Bark Taeho - Dean of the Graduate School of International Studies, Seoul National University. On the side of Hanoi National University, there was Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang - Vice President.

[img class="caption" src="images/stories/2008/8/21/img_3697.jpg" border="0" alt="Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh" title="Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh" width="120" height="180" align="left" ]

Following the “Advanced Korean Textbook” and “Korean History Textbook”, “Modern Korean Society” is the third textbook implemented within the scope of the cooperation project between the two sides. After being compiled by professors from Seoul National University, this textbook was translated by lecturers from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and was piloted at the Faculty of Oriental Studies (University of Social Sciences and Humanities). After receiving feedback from students and lecturers, the University organized editing and publishing in Vietnam.

[img class="caption" src="images/stories/2008/8/21/img_3733.jpg" border="0" width="240" height="160" align="right" ]

Speaking at the book introduction ceremony, Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh - Principal of the School - affirmed: "The publication of this textbook in Vietnamese today is thanks to the great efforts and contributions of Korean and Vietnamese scientists... In the context of the development of Korean Studies in Vietnam, this book will be a good textbook for institutions that train and research Korean. The reception and effective use of this textbook in the process of training Korean Studies for Vietnamese students is the next step of success that Korean authors and Vietnamese translators are looking forward to.i”.

Mr. Park Tae Ho - Dean of the Graduate School of International Studies, Seoul National University - said: “Any exchange and academic development is not worth mentioning without practical and positive actions to bring about specific and successful results. And today's book release ceremony has a profound meaning, proving that the exchange, cooperation and academic development between professors and lecturers of the two schools over the past time has achieved a good result.”.

Also appreciating the practical significance of the cooperation project between the two leading universities of Vietnam and Korea, Mr. Im Hong-je - Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Vietnam - called this an important activity, contributing to laying the first bricks to bring the relationship between the two sides to a new height as strategic partners of each other.

The book "Modern Korean Society" is over 300 pages thick, consisting of 10 chapters, focusing on analyzing and presenting the basic characteristics of modern Korean economy, culture and society in many aspects such as: economic development and industrialization on the basis of political fluctuations; the problem of population transition in Korean society; changes in social class structures and changes in educational and career perspectives and orientations; religious issues; cultural changes in contemporary society; characteristics of social relations of Korean people; forecasts about the future development of one of the countries with high economic growth in Asia, and at the same time a nation with a rich traditional culture, with its own identity and strong influence and spread in the world.