Welcome to the Royal Asiatic Society-Korea Branch
The Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch (RAS-KB), after ten years of activity, was officially recognized by the London headquarters in 1900. As such, the RAS-KB is the oldest organization in Korea designed to introduce people to the beauty of this land in all its many aspects. It is also arguably the most active international cultural and social organization in Korea. The society offers both academic and 'low-brow' offerings for better understanding Korea with priorities placed on accurate insights and pleasurable means of learning.
The RAS-KB, a non-profit organization, aims to help people enhance their understanding of the arts, customs, history, social trends, and landscapes of Korea through lectures, cultural excursions, publications and special interest groups.
Our members are from all walks of life, all nationalities, all ages, all profession. Anyone with a sense of adventure and a bit of intellectual curiosity is welcome. Come and join us! Members receive a free copy of our Transactions and can use our library. Please also check out our weekly updated RAS Korea Facebook page!
Starting from Dec. 11, we have two volunteers serving our office to handle book sales, assist Library visitors, etc. Please look at the bottom of this page for exact office hours. In any case, we strongly advise to call ahead to the RAS Korea to confirm someone is in the office on the day of your intended visit.
Upcoming Lectures
| Date | Title | Lecturer | Venue | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tuesday, February 19, 2019 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm |
Shifting Hierarchy: Carter’s Korean Troop Withdrawal and the Recasting of U.S. Hegemony and Korean Agency within the US-ROK Alliance | Clint Work, Ph.D. candidate | Second floor Residents’ Lounge, Somerset Palace | W10,000 for non-members; W5,000 for student non-members; free for members |
|
Tuesday, February 26, 2019 - 7:30pm to 9:00pm |
Vernacular Itineraries: Korean Letters from Family to National Archive | Ksenia Chizhova, Ph.D. | Second floor Residents’ Lounge, Somerset Palace | W10,000 for non-members; W5,000 for student non-members; free for members |
|
Tuesday, March 12, 2019 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm |
Korean Avalokitesvara Painting | Noh, Hee-Jik, Ph.D. | Second floor Residents’ Lounge, Somerset Palace | W10,000 for non-members; W5,000 for student non-members; free for members |
|
Tuesday, March 26, 2019 - 7:30pm to 9:00pm |
The Next 30 Years: Baby Boomers vs. Millennial Generation | YongGu Suh | Second floor Residents’ Lounge, Somerset Palace | W10,000 for non-members; W5,000 for student non-members; free for members |
Upcoming Excursions/Visits
| Date | Destination(s) | Tour Leader | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visions of Revolution: Romanticism in North Korean Art |
Thursday, February 21, 2019 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm |
Korea University, Asiatic Research Institute, Room #310 | Min-Kyung Yoon, Ph.D. | Free |
| The Formation of Korean-ness and the Advent of the Split-Consciousness: Embracing Multiple Realities in Yeom Sangseop’s Mansejeon | Thursday, March 14, 2019 - 6:00pm | Korea University, Asia Research Institute, Room #310 | Steven D. Capener, Ph.D. | Free |
| Life Outside the Gates of Yongsan Garrison |
Saturday, March 23, 2019 - 3:00pm to 5:30pm |
Samgakji, Seoul | Dr. Daniel Oh | Members = W20,000, Non-Members = 25,000 |
