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.
18th KASEAS Executive Directors
(March 2025 - February 2027)
President
Kim Dong-Yeob
(Busan University of Foreign Studies)
Vice-President
Yeo Woonkyung
(Seoul National University)
Vice-President
Na Heeryang
(Pukyong National University)
Vice-President
Lee Sangguk
(Yonsei University)
Vice-President
Shin Jae Hyeok
(Korea University)
Committee for
Research Cooperation
Hyun Sinae
(Director, Sogang University)
Choi Ina
(Korea Institute for International Economic Policy)
KIM Yongkyun
(Seoul National University)
Jo Young Mook
(Dongguk University)
Lee Junpyo
(Hankuk University of Foreign Studies)
Committee for
International Cooperation
Gu Bo-Kyung
(Director, Busan University of Foreign Studies)
Lee Jinyoung
(Jeonbuk National University)
Lee Miji
(Busan University of Foreign Studies)
Park Jinyoung
(Jeonbuk National University)
Chae Hyun–jung
(Duksung Women's University)
Choi Jonghyun
(Jeonbuk National University)
Committee for
Education Cooperation
Kim Aejin
(Director, Dongseo University)
Park Jung Hoon
(Sogang University)
Kang Minji
(Busan University of Foreign Studies)
Han Heejin
(Pukyong National University)
Jeong Jeong-hun
(Seoul National University)
Yook Suhyun
(Korea Island Development Institute)
Lee Jung Woo
(Associate member representative, Korea University)
Committee for
General Affairs
Moon Ki-hong
(Director, Pukyong National University)
BEAK Yong Hun
(Dankook University)
Choi Kiryong
(Gyeongsang National University)
Ko Woojung
(Sungshin Women's University)
Lee Changkyu
(Jeonbuk National University)
Park Munseon
(Assistant, Busan University of Foreign Studies)
Editorial-in-chief and Editorial Board Members of
the Southeast Asian Review
Lee Kyung-Mook
(Director, Jeonbuk National University)
Lee Hanwoo
(Sogang University)
Yeo Woonkyung
(Seoul National University)
Hwang In-won
(Gyeongsang National University)
Kim Heesuk
(Jeonbuk National University)
Kim Aejin
(Dongseo University)
Kim Hyun Kyoung
(Assistant, Jeonbuk National University)
Auditors
Jeon Je Seong
(Jeonbuk National University)
Kim Hyungjun
(Kangwon National University)
KISEAS
Kim Hyungjong
(Director, Yonsei)
Park Minjung
(Vice Director, Korea National Diplomatic Academy)
Hwang In-won
(Korea Coordinator of the NEAT,
Gyeongsang National University)
ASEAN-ROK Cooperation
Committee
Jeon Je Seong
(Jeonbuk National University)
Kim Hyungjong
(Yonsei University)
Bae Ki-hyun
(Sogang University)
Park Minjung
(Korea National Diplomatic Academy)
Kim Dong-Yeob
(Busan University of Foreign Studies)
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
Kim Heesuk
(Jeonbuk National University)
RC Leader on Business & Economics Studies
Ko Youngkyung
(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
Lee Jaehyon
(The Asan Institute for Policy Studies)
RC Leader on Healthcare & Welfare Studies
Beak Yonghun
(Dankook University)
RC Leader on National Security & Peace Studies
Lee Sookyoun
(Korea National Defense University)
RC Leader on Vietnam Studies
Kim Yongkyun
(Seoul National University)
RC Leader on Thailand & Laos Studies
Chae Hyun–jung
(Duksung Women's University)
RC Leader on Migration & Refugee Studies
Kim Jeehun
(Inha University)
RC Leader on Heritage Studies
JEONG Jeong-hun
(Sogang University)
Board of Trustees
Executive Directors
Gu Bokyung (Busan University of Foreign Studies), Kim Dong-Yeob (Busan University of Foreign Studies), Kim Aejin (Dongseo University), Kim Hyungjong (Yonsei University), Na Heeryang (Pukyong National University), Mun Ki-hong (Pukyong National University), Shin Jaehyuk (Korea University), Yeo Woonkyeong (Seoul National University), Lee Kyung-mook(Jeonbuk National University), Lee Sangguk (Yonsei University), Hyun Shinnae (Sogang University)
Board Members
Kang Minji (Busan University of Foreign Studies), Kang Yunhee (Seoul National University), Kang Heejeong (Sogang University), Ko Woo Jung (Sungshin Women's University), Kim Yegyeom (Busan University of Foreign Studies), Kim Yonggyun (Seoul National University), Kim Junghyun (Chungnam National University), Kim Jongho (Sogang University), Kim Jee Hun (Inha University), Kim Hyungjun (Kangwon National University), Kim Heesuk (Jeonbuk National University), Park Kwangwoo (Busan University of Foreign Studies), Park Minjung (Korea National Diplomatic Academy), Park Eunhong (Sungkonghoe University), Park Junghoon (Sogang University), Park Jinyoung (Jeonbuk National University), Bae Ki-hyun (Sogang University), Baek Yonghun (Dankook University), Seo Kyunggyo (Hankuk University of Foreign Studies), Seo Jiwon (Seoul National University), Song Seongwon (Hankuk University of Foreign Studies), Oh Yuna (Seoul National University), Yook Soohyun (Korea Island Development Institute), Lee miji (Busan University of Foreign Studies), Lee Sookyoun (Korea National Defense University), Lee Jaehyun (The Asan Institute for Policy Studies), Lee Junpyo (Hankuk University of Foreign Studies), Lee Jihyuk (The Export-Import Bank of Korea), Lee Jinyoung (Jeonbuk National University), Lee Chungyeol (Korea University), Lee Hanwoo (Sogang University), Im Siyeon (UNESCO Korea Commission), Jeon Je Seong (Jeonbuk National University), Jung Kiheon (NH NongHyup Economic Research Institute), Jung Bubmo (Pukyong National University), Jung Yeonshik (Changwon National University), Jeong Jeonghun (Seoul National University), Jo Youngmook (Dongguk University), Choi Kyunghee (Seoul National University), Choi Kiryong (Gyeongsang National University), Choi Ina (Korea Institute for International Economic Policy), Choi Jonghyun (Jeonbuk National University), Chae Soohong (Seoul National University), Chae Hyunjung (Dongduk Women's University), Han Yuseok (Seoul National University), Han Heejin (Pukyong National University), Hong Munsuk (Busan University of Foreign Studies), Hong Seokjoon (Mokpo National University), Hwang In-won (Gyeongsang National University)
Honorary Directors
Kim Honggu (Busan University of Foreign Studies), Park Samyoung (Kangwon National University), Park Seungwoo (Yeungnam University), Park Jangshik (Dong-A 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)