International symposium on "comfort women"

On November 30, 2007, the Foundation held an international academic symposium in collaboration with the Association for Korean Modern and Contemporary History. Researchers from Korea, China, Taiwan, Japan, and the Netherlands gave presentations at this conference.

Together with Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese, and Dutch researchers, the symposium revealed various cases of sexual violence committed by the Japanese Imperial Army through a comprehensive examination of the Japanese troops' forced mobilization of women from Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and even the Netherlands. Also, the Foundation and Germany's Ravensbrück Memorial Museum held "The Korea-Germany Joint Exhibition on War and Comfort Women" simultaneously in both nations, thereby publicizing the seriousness of the "comfort women" issue as an exceptional case of the Japanese army abusing women's human rights during World War II. The symposium focused on establishing a starting point for unveiling the truth of Japanese troops' involvement in abducting comfort women and operating the camps. It also emphasized exposure of, and response to, the false arguments by Japanese conservatives who deny the conscription of comfort women and Japan's responsibility.

This conference contributed to expanding the limits of research derived from a single country's unilateral view of history and to laying the groundwork for research of universal human values.

International academic symposium titled "Research on the History of Northeast Asian Peripheral Regions"

From July 20 to 21, 2007, Foundation researchers met with Chinese scholars including Ryu Sung and Son Jin-ki, American counterparts including Harvard’s C. Kenneth Quinones, and Japanese scholars at an international symposium in Kyushu University, Japan. Following the theme of China's Northeast Project, the conference provided Korean and foreign officials and scholars with their first invaluable opportunity to gather and share presentations and opinions. The participants from the Foundation examined global scholars' views on the Chinese Northeast Project, denounced China's contradictory logic, and demanded correction of the errors. Aside from the meeting, the Foundation and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences agreed to hold an academic symposium as soon as possible.

Eminent global scholars invited to an international symposium titled "Finding a settlement to the Dokdo issue between Korea and Japan"

On May 28, 2007, an international symposium was held to seek resolution to the Dokdo issue through a structured approach to the correlation between the Dokdo issue and the unique historical backgrounds of Korea and Japan. Prominent scholars from the United States and Japan showed procedural differences for reaching a conclusion. However, it was of greatest importance that all scholars supported Korea's sovereignty over Dokdo.

Participants including Professor Van Dyck, US; Professor Serita Kentaro, Japan; and Larry Nixy, PhD, US, described Korea's claim to Dokdo as more compelling and more likely to get support from the international community. Notably, when it came to a solution to the Dokdo issue, the scholars emphasized the need for perceiving the historical meaning that evolved during the Japanese colonial rule over the Korean peninsula.

The Foundation will continue its efforts to promote global awareness of the reality of the Dokdo dispute, and reinforce Korea's logical claim to Dokdo as more acceptable to the international community. Furthermore, it will strive to create a favorable research environment and thereby expand the network of experts at home and abroad.

The 13th International Seminar on the Naming of Seas and East Sea

From April 26 to 28, 2007, at the University of Vienna, Austria, the Foundation and the Society for the East Sea co-hosted "The 13th International Seminar on the Naming of Seas and East Sea." At this event, The Foundation teamed with a private organization related to the description "East Sea" to host an academic event aimed at publicizing the legitimacy of the name. This event promoted consensus within the international community, and it deepened and diversified the existing logical system.

Fifty-six scholars from 16 countries participated, and some 20 papers were presented from the fields of history, geography, cartography, and international politics. This seminar encouraged formation of a network of relevant scholars and experts, and it provided in-depth research on the nomenclature of the East Sea. The Foundation was able to evaluate seminar reports and results, and use them for policy making. The Foundation augmented its reasoning through the intensive research into areas related to the naming of East Sea, and it discovered the diversity of concerned experts and scholars as a long-term asset for encouraging global use of the name "East Sea. "

Workshop on Dokdo and East Sea for Overseas Korean Scholars

From November 30 through December 2, 2007, in Los Angeles, the Foundation held a workshop on Dokdo and the East Sea for scholars living in the United States. Some 20 Korean scholars of international politics, history, and international law attended this workshop, which was organized amid growing Korean realization that its claims to territorial land and sea must be founded on objective logic, and that Korean scholars acting in overseas academic circles must be briefed and convinced.

Symposium titled "A window to Northeast Asia: nationalism and universalism"

On May 20, 2007, the Foundation held a "Symposium on Nationalism and Universalism" at the Press Center, Seoul, in cooperation with the Presidential Committee on Northeast Asian Cooperation Initiative. This conference sought to overcome entrenched nationalism and to promote co-prosperity in Northeast Asia. The symposium further sought to establish future-oriented relations based on historical experiences where conflicts and cooperation co-exist.

Many experts from fields such as political ideology, history, international politics theory, and culture attended, as did policy makers and social activists. The symposium afforded a venue for comprehensive discussion of nationalism, universalism, current conflicts, Northeast Asian future, and ways for cooperation. The meeting provided worthy opportunity to conduct a historical study of nationalism and universalism, and to examine how conflicts arise from nationalism and universalism.

Korea-Vietnam International Symposium on the 15th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Ties between the Two Nations

On August 20, 2007, the Foundation supported an international symposium on the history of Korea-Vietnam relations, held for the first time by the Korean and Vietnamese Historical Associations, to honor the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations. The event offered a substantial opportunity to review Korea-Vietnam exchange during the Goryeo period, late Joseon period, the era of Japanese colonial rule, and the modern age.

"Northeast Asian History Week" to commemorate 1st anniversary of the inauguration of the Foundation

The Foundation designated September 10 through 16, 2007, as "Northeast Asian History Week" to celebrate the first anniversary of its inauguration. During this period, the Foundation produced a series of local events, overseas academic seminars, and history-relevant programs including the "1st International NGO Conference on History and Peace."

During "Northeast Asian History Week," the Foundation reviewed the year’s activities and it invited historians and NGO history activists from some 20 countries, including Japan and America, to find ways to build international partnerships for a correct understanding of history.

On September 10, 2007, the Foundation hosted the international symposium "Finding Ways for Cooperation in Northeast Asia: Harmonizing Nationalism and Universalism" This symposium was an expansion of the May symposium "A Window to Northeast Asia: Nationalism and Universalism." The September 10 conference presented challenge and direction for regional cooperation by analyzing the development of nationalism within Northeast Asia and examining a regional community's trials and limits in going beyond nationalism toward universalism.

On September 12, the Foundation held an international symposium titled "Different Perceptions of History: Responsibilities and Ethnical Territorial Perception." This event accessed the findings of local and overseas scholars' research on historical controversy, history and policy of multiracial countries, and international legal assessment of Northeast Asian territorial claims.

On September 13, 2007, the Foundation and non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) co hosted an international conference to honor the 62nd anniversary of the end of World War II in the Asia-Pacific region titled "The Historical Meaning of the End of World War II and its Implications Today." This was the Asia-Pacific region's first global event commemorating the end of World War II hosted by civic groups. The participants shared experiences in World War II and post-war settlements, examined different and common aspects of historical disputes, and devised measures to overcome historical conflicts in order to promote regional cooperation and harmony. The Foundation was proud to participate in these private organizations’ voluntary event to commemorate the end of World War II.

Attended the conference of IHO concerning the description of East Sea

On July 5, 2007, the Foundation participated in the 17th conference of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), conducting activities for the delegates and experts from member countries. The Foundation tried to publicize the legitimacy of the name "East Sea" to member countries' representatives and relevant experts, and supported effective negotiating power of concerned organizations like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and the former Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Fisheries. Consequently, it achieved a plan to publish the 4th edition of the IHO publication "Limits of Oceans and Seas" by separately using names East Sea and Sea of Japan.

The Foundation consolidated its logic for the name East Sea through in-depth research on the IHO publication "Limits of Oceans and Seas," an agenda related with the nomenclature of the East Sea, and it tried to establish a long-term network with the IHO Secretariat and member nations.

Attended the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN)

From August 20 through 31, 2007, the Foundation took part in the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) and the United Nations Conference on the Standardization of Geographic Names (UNCSGN), another major international organization related to geographical nomenclature. A group of South Korean government agencies including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, the National Geographic Information Institute, and the National Oceanographic Research Institute conveyed their government's position on the description of the East Sea to relevant member countries and experts in geographical names. Furthermore, East Sea, an English pamphlet on the East Sea, was published for meetings with relevant international organizations like the IHO and UNCSGN, which need to correct their mistaken descriptions. The South Korean government plans to further publicize the name East Sea, and it will translate and publish a booklet on the naming of the East Sea in multi-national languages.

Academic exchanges with the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center of Stanford University

On February 26, 2007, the Foundation signed an agreement with Stanford University to conduct joint research on Northeast Asian history from 2007 to 2009. The research will entail comparisons of high-school history textbooks, history movies and historical understandings of opinion-leading elites of five countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This agreement includes invitation of scholars from research institutes in the United States, China, Japan, and Taiwan to an academic discussion on the research findings. This international academic seminar with Stanford University is expected to help toward better understanding of Chinese and Japanese history distortions.

Signed an agreement for academic exchanges with Harvard University

The Foundation signed an agreement with the Korea Institute of Harvard University to boost overseas research on Korea's ancient history and to support educational promotion projects. The Foundation has attempted to secure a stronghold for research on early Korean history in the United States, to cultivate history researchers, and to increase opportunities for relevant education. The Foundation hopes that vitalizing Harvard University’s research of Korea's ancient history will lead to opening a post for a professor of Korea's ancient history, nurturing relevant researchers, and promoting history education within the U.S.

Signed an agreement on academic exchanges with the Georg Eckert Institute for International Textbook Research

On July 6, 2007, the Foundation singed a memorandum of understanding with the Georg Eckert Institute for International Textbook Research, Germany, for joint research, publication of academic books, and academic exchanges. Together with the Eckert Institute, the Foundation will be able to form an international network to counter Japan's history distortions and China's Northeast Project. The Foundation also seeks guidelines from the experiences of the institute’s German-French history book and German-Polish joint-history book projects.

Dokdo-related civic groups provided a trip to trace Dokdo's history

From May 15 through 18, 2007, the Foundation sponsored a second field trip to publicize Dokdo's history and its correct understanding. As in 2006, this program included expert lectures and a forum for civic groups' activists. Representatives from 23 Dokdo-relevant civic groups and seven concerned organizations joined the tour, visited relevant sites, and studied the Russia-Japan War and Japan's intrusion onto Dokdo.

This event created a precedent for private-public cooperation. It established a network of civic groups, enhanced civic group activists' expertise in Dokdo, and it created a new paradigm for Dokdo-related activities. It also diverted civic groups from their political activities to enjoy the rich cultural experience of Dokdo, like a history field trip. The Foundation will continue to help cooperation among Dokdo-related civic groups. The Foundation will also focus on developing other projects to strengthen Korea's sovereignty over Dokdo. These projects will include round-table talks, joint meetings, and collaborative events for information sharing.

1st International NGO Conference on History and Peace

From September 14 to 16, 2007, the Foundation and history- and Dokdo-related civic social groups jointly held the 2nd International NGO Conference on History and Peace.

This conference was designed to form a local and global network of passionate groups that have performed in varying areas of activity. This event raised East-Asian historical issues to global recognition.

Some 36 history-related civic groups comprised the organizing committee and co-hosted the event, which featured five topics: truth and reconciliation, war and memory, peace and future, myth and history, and territorial land and sea.

Thirty diverse programs, including an opening international symposium, were held at the City Hall Plaza and Gwanghwamun, and attended by over 10,000 people including some 120 foreign participants from some 20 countries.

This NGO Conference, the world's first international meeting of history-relevant civic groups, was designed to uncover an ideal model for public-private collaboration and to share historical perceptions based on cooperation and co-prosperity. The conference helped information sharing through an established network, and it established South Korea as a center for exchange and cooperation among historical NGO’s worldwide. This event further globalizes the Foundation’s work and that of the historical NGO’s.

"Special Goguryeo Exhibition" held in Los Angeles, May 2007; and in Hanoi, August 2007

From May 11 through 24, 2007, a special Goguryeo exhibition was held at the Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles (KCCLA), and from August 21 through 31 at the Korean Cultural Center in Hanoi, Vietnam, to promote the excellence and enterprising spirit of the Goguryeo culture, one of the roots of Korean civilization.

The Los Angeles exhibition allowed Americans easy access to the real Goguryeo culture. This significant event occurred during disagreement over China's Northeast Project and its aggrandizing attempt to apply for the designation of Korea's ancient relics world's cultural heritage. This exhibition drew the eyes and ears of experts from both countries and the world.

Koreans educated and living in the U.S. left the exhibition with a sense of pride and self-confidence in their home country's history and culture after seeing and feeling the representative tomb murals and cultural heritage of Goguryeo. Some 2,000 people visited the exhibition, and local students used it for a field-trip course. At the request of the local community, the exhibition was opened for more hours on weekends.

In Hanoi, Vietnam, on the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between the two countries, the special Goguryeo exhibition offered the local people an opportunity to experience Korean history and culture through Korea's outstanding cultural heritage of Goguryeo tomb murals. The exhibition drew much interest from the Vietnamese as well as the local media, because as the TV drama Jumong featuring Goguryeo gained popularity in the country. Over 1,000 people visited the exhibition, which helped the locals understand Korea's ancient culture.

Korea-Germany joint exhibition on war and comfort women

From November 15 through 30, 2007, at the 12th prison of the Seodaemun Prison History Hall, Seoul, the "Korea-Germany Joint Exhibition on War and Comfort Women" was held under the title of "Comfort Women for the Japanese Army and Sexual Slavery at Nazi German Camps."

This followed the 2007 U.S. House of Representatives resolution on the "comfort women." The exhibition’s aimed to recognize women's human-rights abuse during World War II and to conceive a way for reconciliation. The exhibition sought to compare the attitudes of Germany and Japan through a display of relevant materials from Korea and the Ravensbrück Memorial Museum in Germany and to call upon the Japanese government and society to find a sincere resolution to the "comfort women" issue.

Testimonies and pictures of sexual slavery victims, remains, reconstructed models, and videos were displayed. More than 16,000 people visited the exhibition, which showed the public’s interest in the "comfort women" issue and its wish for a swift settlement. Notably, U.S. congressman Michael Honda, who played a leading role in the House endorsement of the resolution, visited the exhibition.

Project to build Dokdo Education Center

The Foundation eagerly supported a project to build the Dokdo Education Center aimed at cultivating a young generation with sound historical knowledge of Dokdo and a strong will to defend it. The project invited scholars and experts with a broad view of Dokdo and Korea's territorial sovereignty to give lectures once a week for five weeks to college students, who also visited Dokdo and received field training. The first class accepted 150 students and was successfully conducted from April 10 through June 1, 2007, while the second class had 120 participants and lectures were delivered from September 14 through November 1.

History academy for workers

From May 24 through July 24, 2007, the Foundation opened a "History Academy for Workers" in collaboration with the Seoul History Museum. The program allowed workers with scant history education to learn the nature and progress of historical disputes such as China's Northeast Project and the Dokdo issue, which have stoked controversy among Korea, China, and Japan.

This course was provided to Seoul workers and residents, and attended by 250 people, an indication of citizens' interest in the nation's history. A survey found more than 90% of the participants left satisfied with the experience.

Academy on East Asian History for experts

On each Thursday evening, from June 8 through September 20, 2007, the Foundation opened an "Academy on East Asian History" to some 50-history teachers from across the nation. The academy was designed to give the teachers professional knowledge, and enable them to provide objective education on controversy regarding the nation's history such as Japan's claim to Dokdo and China's Northeast Project.

The eight-lesson course consisted of key issues with regard to East-Asian history, and it boosted the participants' understanding of modern historical disputes. It also provided allowed discussions based on teaching experiences at schools. The lectures comprised four topics: before and after opening Korean ports to the outside world, the Japanese annexation period, the modern age, and East Asia.