With the generous support of the Academy of Korean Studies in South Korea and the Department of Asian Studies at Penn State, The Institute for Korean Studies (IKS) was established in January 2021 with the aim to strengthen Korea-focused research and teaching programs.

The Institute fosters and supports research related to Korea by providing academic venues and resources for faculty and students. The Institute also serves academic communities beyond the Penn State campus and region by facilitating interaction between Korea-focused scholars globally, ensuring the wider dissemination of their research to both academic and non-academic audiences in North America and around the world.

Our Mission

We aim to make the Institute the hub of Korean studies in the region and beyond. The Institute will focus on developing the following specific areas to achieve this goal. These include…

1. Expanding the existing Korean studies program by adding and retuning both content and language courses. This multidisciplinary curriculum will help students be exposed to and become familiar with the diverse aspects of Korean history, culture, and society.
2. Growing and supporting affiliated faculty’s research activities by supporting faculty publications, hosting international conferences and workshops on campus, and bringing scholars from around the world to the campus. These activities will be helpful for our researchers to connect with scholars globally, which will enrich the field they are engaged in.
3. Providing various cultural venues for students through which they can build their collegiality among themselves and be encouraged to further pursue their academic and professional interests in Korea. Students will have multiple opportunities to organize and participate in activities that will enhance their communication skills and leadership.
4. Providing academic and cultural resources for researchers and students who seek fellowships, scholarships, and professional development opportunities.