The opening ceremony of ‘The Institute for K-Democracy Studies,’ an autonomous research institute of Kyungnam University (KU), was held on May 20th from 4:30 pm on the rooftop of Goun Building. It was the 77th anniversary of KU’s founding. Masan City, where KU is located, is a democratic city where the March 15 Uprising occurred in March 1960, the Bu-Ma Democratic Uprising in October 1979, and the democratization movement in June 1987. *Masan Citiy is now integrated into Changwon City.
On May 17th, to commemorate the opening of the institute, Director Jeong Seong-gi, Vice Director Jung Eun-sang, Academic Editor-in-Chief Ji Joo-hyoung, and Secretary Cho Jung-woo gave a special lecture on campus to current Kyungnam students on the topic, “Divided Korean Society and the Democratization Movement”. Subsequently, last August, the first workshop of ‘The Institute for K-Democracy Studies’ was held in the Changjo Building’s AMP classroom. In attendance were many professors from KU, and Director Jeong Seong-gi asked, “Why now the ‘K-Democracy Research Institute’ of Kyungnam University?”. It was held under the theme, “Reflection on the history of Kyungnam University in modern Korean history.”
Kyungnam University’s ‘The Institute for K-Democracy Studies’ held its first national academic conference to commemorate its opening on the afternoon of Friday, October 13th in the international conference room of the Main Building of Kyungnam University. The overall theme of the national conference was, “The success and crisis of Korean democracy under a long-term division and armistice system.” This topic was of great interest to the conservatives and progressives in attendance, as the date of the conference lined up with the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice and the 70th anniversary of the ROK-US alliance. The first national academic conference of The Institute for K-Democracy Studies.
The main mission of the ‘The Institute for K-Democracy Studies’ is to develop and spread democracy in various fields. What follows are the key mission roles of Kyungnam University’s ‘The Institute for K-Democracy Studies’:
First, we must study democratic theory and philosophy to raise people's democratic awareness and spread the values that protect democracy.
Second, we must study democratization cases and history. The importance of awareness of democracy and participation in democracy should be emphasized by studying the history of democracy and cases of democratization such as the March 15th Movement, the Bu-Ma Democratic Uprising, and the democratization movement in June 1987.
Third, we must study community and political participation in democracy. We will conduct research related to the democratization movement, community participation, and political participation that occurred in the Masan and Gyeongsangnam regions in order to promote the democratization of local communities and political participation of the people.
Fourth, we must develop policies to practice democracy through policy research and recommendations, and make policy recommendations based on these.
Fifth, we must conduct research on issues related to international democracy and develop democracy further through international cooperation.
Sixth, by conducting field research and policy research, ‘The Institute for K-Democracy Studies’ will identify current problems related to democracy, and based on this, will recommend tentative issues to conduct policy research on. In addition, we must increase awareness and participation in democracy and spread democracy more widely through democracy education and promotion among Kyungnam University students as well as youth and citizens in our region.
In addition, ‘The Institute for K-Democracy Studies’ will not only conduct research on the democratic movement led by students at Kyungnam University, but will also research local traditions and history, thereby preserving the identity and cultural heritage of the region and supporting the local community through the promotion of coexistence.
Additionally, by addressing issues related to regional modernization, industrialization, and urbanization, suggestions for the future of the Gyeongsangnam region can be recognized and addressed. Through research on the work-playlifestyle of Korean people and daily life aspect, solutions to various social issues such as job creation and improvement of the working environment can be pursued., This will allow us to contribute to the development of the local community and the improvement of the quality of life of Gyeongsangnam residents.
By carrying out these missions and roles, ‘The Institute for K-Democracy Studies’ will be able to promote democracy and spread democratic values and practices at home and abroad, including in Masan and the Gyeongsangnam regions.
