The National Heritage Administration's Korean Traditional Culture University signed an academic exchange agreement in the field of cultural heritage with Japan's Keio University on the morning of September 22 at the university's Yuhyeondang in Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province.
This agreement was established between the College of Cultural Heritage at Korean Traditional Culture University and the Faculty of Letters, Graduate School of Letters, and Graduate School of Human Relations at Keio University. It was made possible by the return of the cultural heritage 'Gwanwoldang,' which returned to Korea last year after being abroad for 100 years.
In April, the National Heritage Administration signed a donation agreement to establish a 'Korea-Japan Cultural Heritage Academic Exchange Fund' worth 100 million yen (approximately 930 million won at the time) with Goddeokwon, Korean Traditional Culture University, and the Foundation for Cultural Heritage Abroad. This academic exchange agreement is a follow-up measure to institutionalize exchanges between the two universities.
The main contents of the agreement include mutual support for faculty and researcher visits, student exchanges for undergraduates and graduates, and cooperation in the field of education. It is expected to establish a leading cooperation model in the preservation and utilization of Korea-Japan cultural heritage and enhance the international standing of both universities through strengthened joint research capabilities.
The signing ceremony was attended by about 20 officials from both universities, including Kang Kyung-hwan, president of Korean Traditional Culture University, and Takao Sato, dean of the Faculty of Letters at Keio University.
President Kang stated, “The return of Gwanwoldang marks a significant start in closing the past 100 years and opening the next 100 years together. Through this agreement, we aim to create a model of trust-building between Korea and Japan, where young researchers and students from both universities can learn and research together through cultural heritage.”
Korean Traditional Culture University plans to further deepen mutual cooperation with Keio University, encompassing student exchanges and joint research. Additionally, it aims to actively collaborate with various domestic and international institutions to expand the foundation for international exchanges in the field of cultural heritage and continuously enhance the university's global cooperation capabilities.
Meanwhile, Gwanwoldang is a structure from the Joseon Dynasty that was taken to Japan during the Japanese colonial period and has been located at Goddeokwon temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. It returned to Korea last year after being donated by Goddeokwon, marking its return after nearly 100 years.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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