Dear Members and Friends of RAS Korea,

Here’s your quick overview of what is happening around RAS Korea this week.

1) RAS Korea’s YouTube channel – Online Lecture Video Archive
If you missed any online lectures, you can find and watch them here.
Please click ‘Subscribe’ and ‘Like’ buttons at the RAS Korea’s Youtube channel.

2) RAS Korea Book Note:
‘Buddhas and Ancestors: Religion and Wealth in Fourteenth-century Korea’ 
By Juhn Y. Ahn, Published 2018 by Universiver of Washington Press
Available from Amazon

Two issues central to the transition from the Goryeo to the Joseon dynasty in fourteenth-century Korea were social differences in ruling elites and the decline of Buddhism, which had been the state religion. In this revisionist history, Juhn Ahn challenges the long-accepted Confucian critique that Buddhism had become so powerful and corrupt that the state had to suppress it. When newly rising elites (many with strong ties to the Mongols) used lavish donations to Buddhist institutions to enhance their status, older elites defended their own adherence to this time-honored system by arguing that their donations were linked to virtue. This emphasis on virtue and the consequent separation of religion from wealth facilitated the Confucianization of Korea and the relegation of Buddhism to the margins of public authority during the Joseon dynasty.

3) The Korea Society Live Webcast (Nov. 18)
Topic: A Conversation with David Yoon
Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2020. 6-8PM (New York) / Thursday, November 19. 8:00-10AM (Seoul)
Registration by clicking here

4) The Korea Society Live Webcast (Nov. 19)
Topic: North Korean Sanctions and Adaptation
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2020. 12:00PM (New York) / Friday, November 20. 02:00AM (Seoul)
Registration by clicking here

5) The Korea Society Live Webcast (Nov. 19)
Topic: The Korean Wave and Translation: A Conversation with Wansoo Suh
Date: Thursday, November 19. 6:00PM (New York) / Friday, November 20. 8:00AM (Seoul)
Registration by clicking here

6) GW Institute for Korean Studies (Nov. 16)
Topic: North Korea Economic Forum Panel Discussion “The Pandemic’s Impact on North Korea: Leadership Dynamics, Markets and Public Health”
Date: Monday, November 16, 2020. 10:30PM (EST) / Tuesday, November 17. 12:00AM (KST)
Register by clicking here

7) Chey Institute for Advanced Studies Webinar (Nov. 20)
Topic: ‘The Biden Administration and North Korea’ with Joseph Yun, Gary Samore, and Robert Einhorn
Date: Friday, November 20. 10:00-11:45AM (Seoul)
Register by clicking here

8) Aftermath of the East Asian War of 1592-1598 Research Seminar (Nov. 18)
Topic: ‘Ming Grand Strategy and the East Asian War’ by Kenneth Swope 
Date: Wednesday, November 18. 4:00PM (Barcelona) / Thursday, November 19. 12:00AM (Seoul)
For registration, please contact sangwoo.han@uab.cat

9) Heritage Walk in Seoul with Dr. Cho In-Souk (Nov. 22)
Topic: Hanok / Between Conservation and development
Leader: Cho, In-Souk
* This program is not run by RAS Korea.

Very best wishes.
Stay safe and healthy.