Pukyong National University Publishes Liberal Arts Book Series 'Marine Humanities for Youth'

Planned by the Humanities Korea Plus (HK+) Project Group

12 Writers, Endless Stories of the Sea

The Humanities Korea Plus (HK+) Project Group at Pukyong National University (Director: Kim Changkyung, Professor of Chinese Studies) recently published a planned liberal arts book titled "Marine Humanities for Youth" (Happy Book Media).

Book Cover for Marine Humanities for Youth.

This book is a youth liberal arts publication planned by the Pukyong National University HK+ Project Group, based on "Marine Humanities" lecture topics delivered to young people over the past seven years. Twelve writers from the Busan Children's Literature Association each contributed a chapter, resulting in a total of twelve essays.

Divided into four parts, the first part of this book covers research aimed at understanding the sea or classics imbued with literary symbolism. The marine classics include a wide range of stories, from encyclopedias recording the ecology and characteristics of marine life, to literary works containing various symbols of anchovies, and adventure novels that depict cooperation and growth through tales of being stranded on deserted islands. These stories address profound themes such as the relationship between human life and nature, dreams and hope, cooperation and growth, offering readers both interest and inspiration.

The second part emphasizes the environmental importance and vulnerability of the sea, providing perspectives that offer new insights. It introduces the various threats facing the marine environment, such as the restoration of the estuarine ecosystem at the Nakdong River estuary, the preservation of biodiversity in Korean tidal flats, and the issue of marine plastic pollution threatening green sea turtles. The content stresses the need to protect the marine environment and maintain a healthy marine ecosystem through efforts for sustainable development and environmental conservation.

The third part explores how to enjoy marine resources from a tourism perspective and presents a new way of looking at the sea. Ecotourism is highlighted as a sustainable form of tourism that seeks the coexistence of nature and humans, with the Nakdong River estuary as a representative ecotourism site. China is developing various marine tourism cities, with Shanghai, Qingdao, and Sanya being particularly famous, while Busan is growing as a global marine tourism city centered around cruise tourism. The book presents the future of marine tourism, which pursues both regional economic revitalization and environmental protection, and envisions harmonious coexistence between nature and humans.

The fourth part delves deeper into the complex interactions within the marine ecosystem and explores various aspects through a scientific approach. Marine science is a field that studies and protects marine ecosystems through diverse methods such as drones, global warming research, and international observer activities. Drones are used to explore marine areas that are difficult for humans to access, while global warming research is important for understanding changes in marine ecosystems and developing response strategies. International observers contribute to the sustainable management of marine resources by monitoring illegal fishing and collecting marine biology data, among other scientific stories presented to readers.

The authors stated in the book, "We expect that this book will help young people systematically understand the sea and, beyond mere knowledge acquisition, encourage them to engage in voluntary exploration, thereby nurturing future generations in various fields and enhancing academic and social influence."

Professor Gong Mihui, who is in charge of this project, said, "We hope that this youth liberal arts book, planned based on 'Marine Humanities' lectures delivered to young people over the past seven years, will help youth approach the sea not just as a space for enjoyment, but from a comprehensive perspective that encompasses history, culture, ecology, environment, and future values."

Kim Changkyung, Director of the HK+ Project Group at Pukyong National University, said, "Through this book, I hope that more young people will be captivated by the sea, a space of infinite possibilities for the future, and develop a love and appreciation for the ocean."