ABOUT US
Mission Statement
The Korean Association of Southeast Asian Studies (KASEAS) promotes interdisciplinary Southeast Asian studies across social sciences and humanities. It aims to be a research community that fosters the exchange of knowledge and information among its members and conducts support activities to encourage Southeast Asia experts. It also aims to promote mutual understanding and international exchanges between Korea and the Southeast Asia, contributing to the development of Korea's international area studies, the internationalization of Korean society, and peaceful coexistence in the region.
History
The Korean Association of Southeast Asian Studies was established as an academic organization to systematize further Southeast Asia studies in Korea, which had been conducted sporadically, and to promote mutual information exchange and joint research among regional researchers.
Since the inaugural meeting at the Institute for Foreign Affairs and National Security on June 29, 1991, the Korean Association of Southeast Asian Studies has contributed to revitalizing area studies by leading Southeast Asian studies in Korea. In particular, the 1990s was when human and economic exchanges between Korea and Southeast Asia significantly increased, and democratization and reforms in Southeast Asia were in earnest.
Members of various majors such as history, anthropology, linguistics, literature, political science, sociology, economics, business administration, etc., cooperate interdisciplinary to study history, society and culture, politics and democratization, economic reform in Southeast Asia. It has been promoting various academic research and events focusing on themes related to Korea and Southeast Asia.
The Korean Association of Southeast Asian Studies has developed into an international academic society. For example, the ASEAN-Korea Academic Conference and the Korea-Japan Joint Academic Conference are held yearly. It supported the exchange of scholars and graduate students between Korea and ASEAN. In particular, it provided Southeast Asian fieldwork research grants to 94 Korean graduate students for 18 years from 1999 to 2016. It holds domestic academic conferences annually. It publishes The Southeast Asian Studies Review, an academic journal registered with the National Research Foundation of Korea, four times a year. In March 2020, the Korean Association of Southeast Asian Studies (KASEAS) underwent a transformation, transitioning into a legal corporation by integrating the pre-existing Korean Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (KISEAS) under its umbrella. This restructuring solidified the organization's current framework.
17th KASEAS Executive Directors
(March 2023 - February 2025)
President
Je Seong Jeon
(Jeonbuk National University)
Vice-President
Jeehun Kim
(Inha University)
Vice-President
Hyung Jong Kim
(Yonsei University)
Vice-President
Seung-won Song
(Hankuk University of Foreign Studies)
Vice-President
Jaehyon Lee
(Asan Institute for Policy Studies)
Director for
Research Cooperation
BAE Ki-Hyun
(Director, Sogang University)
Kihong Mun
(Pukyong National University)
Chae Hyun–jung
(Duksung Women's University)
Ina Choi
(Korea Institute for International Economic Policy)
KIM JongHo
(Sogang University)
Kang Yumin
(Jeonbuk National University)
Director for
International Cooperation
Moon-Suk Hong
(Director, Busan University of Foreign Studies)
GU Bo-Kyung
(Busan University of Foreign Studies)
Min Joung Park
(Sookmyung Women's University)
Jinyoung Park
(Jeonbuk National University)
Jinyoung Lee
(Jeonbuk National University)
Director for
Education Cooperation
Jae Hyeok Shin
(Director, Korea University)
Aejin Kim
(Dongseo University)
Park Jung Hoon
(Sogang University)
JEONG Jeong-hun
(Sogang University)
Lee Jung Woo
(Associate member representative, Korea University)
Director for
General Affairs
Lee Kyung Mook
(Director, Jeonbuk National University)
BEAK Yong Hun
(Dankook University)
Heesuk Kim
(Jeonbuk National University)
Lee Changkyu
(Jeonbuk National University)
Choi Byeonghak
(Jeonbuk National University)
Editorial-in-chief and Editorial Board Members of
the Southeast Asian Review
HanWoo Lee
(Director, Sogang University)
Jeehun Kim
(Inha University)
YEO Woonkyung
(Seoul National University)
LEE Jong Ha
(Chosun University)
JUNG Bubmo
(Pukyong National University)
Hwang In-won
(Gyeongsang National University)
Hyun Kyoung Kim
(Assistant, Jeonbuk National University)
Auditors
HONG Seok-Joon
(Mokpo National University)
Yeonsik Jeong
(Changwon University)
KISEAS
Jaehyon Lee
(Director, The Asan Institute for Policy Studies)
Hyun Sinae
(Vice Director, Sogang University)
Hwang In-won
(Korea Coordinator of the NEAT,
Gyeongsang National University)
Research Committee (RC)
RC Leader on Philippines Studies
KIM Dong-Yeob
(Busan University of Foreign Studies)
RC Leader on Indonesia & East Timor Studies
KIM Hyung Jun
(Kangwon National University)
RC Leader on Myanmar & Cambodia Studies
Heesuk Kim
(Jeonbuk National University)
RC Leader on Business & Economics Studies
Young Kyung Ko
(Korea University)
RC Leader on International Development Cooperation Studies
JUNG Bubmo
(Pukyong National University)
RC Leader on Singapore Studies
KIM JongHo
(Sogang University)
RC Leader on Malaysia & Brunei Studies
Hwang In-won
(Gyeongsang National University)
RC Leader on ASEAN Studies
Jaehyon Lee
(The Asan Institute for Policy Studies)
RC Leader on Healthcare & Welfare Studies
BEAK Yong Hun
(Dankook University)
RC Leader on National Security & Peace Studies
Lee Sookyoun
(Korea National Defense University)
RC Leader on Vietnam Studies
Yong Kyun Kim
(Seoul National University)
RC Leader on Thailand & Laos Studies
Chae Hyun–jung
(Duksung Women's University)
RC Leader on Migration & Refugee Studies
Jeehun Kim
(Inha University)
RC Leader on Heritage Studies
JEONG Jeong-hun
(Sogang University)
Board of Trustees
Executive Directors
Kim Jihoon (Inha University), Kim Hyungjong (Yonsei University), Kim Hyungjun (Kangwon National University), Kim Heesook (Jeonbuk National University), Bae Ki Hyun (Sogang University), Song Seungwon (Hankuk University of Foreign Studies), Shin Jaehyuk (Korea University), Lee Kyungmuk (Jeonbuk National University), Lee Jaehyun (Asan Institute for Policy Studies), Lee Hanwoo (Sogang University), Jeon Jesung (Jeonbuk National University), Hong Munsuk (Busan University of Foreign Studies), Hwang Inwon (Kangwon National University)
Board Members
Kang Yunhee (Seoul National University), Kang Heejeong (Sogang University), Ko Woo Jung (Sungshin Women's University), Koo Bokyung (Busan University of Foreign Studies), Kim Dongyeop (Busan University of Foreign Studies), Kim Ae Jin (Dongseo University), Kim Yegyeom (Busan University of Foreign Studies), Kim Yonggyun (Seoul National University), Kim Junghyun (Sungkyunkwan University), Kim Jongho (Sogang University), Na Heeryang (Pukyong National University), Moon Kihong (Pukyong National University), Park Kwangwoo (Busan University of Foreign Studies), Park Minjeong (Sookmyung Women's University), Park Seungwoo (Yeungnam University), Park Eunhong (Sungkonghoe University), Park Jangshik (Dong-A University), Park Junghoon (Pusan National University), Park Jinyoung (Jeonbuk National University), Baek Yonghoon (Dankook University), Seo Kyunggyo (Hankuk University of Foreign Studies), Seo Jiwon (Seoul National University), Yeo Ungyeong (Seoul National University), Oh Yuna (Seoul National University), Yuk Soohyun (Korea SMEs and Startups Agency), Imiji (Busan University of Foreign Studies), Lee Sangguk (Yonsei University), Lee Sukyeon (Korea National Defense University), Lee Junpyo (Hankuk University of Foreign Studies), Lee Jongha (Chosun University), Lee Jihyuk (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency), Lee Jinyoung (Jeonbuk National University), Lee Chungyeol (Korea University), Im Siyeon (UNESCO Korea Commission), Jung Kiheon (NH NongHyup Economic Research Institute), Jung Beommo (Pukyong National University), Jung Yeonshik (Changwon National University), Jung Junghoon (Sogang University), Choi Kyunghee (Seoul National University), Choi Byungwook (Inha University), Choi Ina (Korea Institute for International Economic Policy), Chae Soohong (Seoul National University), Chae Hyunjeong (Dongduk Women's University), Han Yuseok (Seoul National University), Hyun Shinnae (Sogang University), Hong Sukjun (Mokpo National University)
Honorary Directors
Kim Honggu (Busan University of Foreign Studies), Park Samyoung (Kangwon National University), Shin Yunhwan (Sogang University), Oh Myungseok (Seoul National University), Yoon Jinpyo (Sungshin Women's University)
Past Executive Committees
first presidency
Chairman: Seungju Han (Korea University Department of Political Science and Diplomacy, former Minister of Foreign Affairs)
Vice President: Woojin Lee (Chung-Ang University, Department of Political Science), Changseong Choi (Department of Thai Language, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies)