Busan National University Library Holds Academic Event to Mark 13th Anniversary of Dr. Jonggeun Park Library Collection

Records of Boundaries and Resistance...
Academic Event on the Process of Japanese Colonial Rule and the History and Literature of Koreans Held on the 14th

Busan National University (President Choi Jaewon) Library (Director Woo Kyun) held an academic event to commemorate the 13th anniversary of the establishment of the 'Dr. Jonggeun Park Library Collection,' which honors the materials donated by the late historian Park Jonggeun, a Korean-Japanese scholar who dedicated his life to collecting and researching materials on modern Joseon history.

Busan National University Library is holding an academic event to commemorate the 13th anniversary of the establishment of the 'Dr. Jonggeun Park Library Collection.' Photo by Busan National University

This event took place on May 14 at the Learning Commons on the first floor of Saebyeokbeol Library at Busan National University, under the theme 'Records of Boundaries and Resistance - The Process of Japanese Colonial Rule and the History and Literature of Koreans.' The event aimed to shed new light on the academic value of the collection and to promote research on modern Northeast Asian history, as well as the dissemination of historical awareness among Korea, China, and Japan.

Since its opening in August 2012 on the second floor of the Central Library at Busan National University, the 'Dr. Jonggeun Park Library Collection' has been operated with a total of 8,477 volumes donated from the late Dr. Park Jonggeun’s personal collection.

This collection includes rare books and serial publications related not only to modern Joseon but also to Japan and China, and is being utilized for research on the press during the Japanese colonial period, literature by Koreans in Japan, and studies on publishing culture in Northeast Asia.

The donation was arranged by lawyer Hwang Seokbo (Dayul Law Firm), a friend of the late Dr. Park Jonggeun, who carried on Dr. Park’s wishes. Hwang also contributed 5 million won to the development fund for this event. In addition, the late Choi Youngseok, founder of the Upa Scholarship Foundation, donated 20 million won at the time of the collection’s establishment, contributing to its creation.

At the academic event, Lee Jaebong, professor of Korean Language and Literature at Busan National University, gave a lecture on 'The History and Literature of Koreans in Japan.' Lim Sangseok, professor at the Jumphiljae Institute at Busan National University, presented on 'The Protectorate Era, Ulsan and Koreans Seen by the Japanese: Reading the Real Exploration Whaling Ship.' Kwon Jeongwon, professor of Classical Chinese Literature at Busan National University, delivered a lecture on 'Media Activities of Japanese Residents in Korea Seen through the Joseon Shinbo.'

The Busan National University Library stated, "This event was a meaningful opportunity to revisit the self-narratives of Koreans during the Japanese colonial period and the perspectives of Japan," and added, "We will continue our efforts to promote the value of the collection and enhance its academic utilization in the future."