Abstract

The purpose of this article is to review the specific problems of the field where scholars are researching Korean Studies. It would be one of various efforts to find a new path of Korean Studies. It can not be overemphasized that Korean researchers should explore the subject in the temporal and spatial context. Jeong Yag‒yong’s political thoughts are considered to have opened a new era beyond the medieval limits. But, as confirmed by two cases of Banjeong(The Restoration of the Righteous King), the realities of Joseon’s politics were more advanced than the idea of Jeong. Although the traditions of all provinces and towns are important, it seems to be more important that the studies of regional history in the late Joseon period should be conducted in the context of the construction of a unified national state. In the field of Korean literature, when we look into the place where Chunhyang and I‒doryeong first met and loved, It is revealed that the conventional explanation of Chunyang‒jeon have understood the novel in a streotyped and outdated framework. The researches of Korean Studies have placed too much importance on the words and writings of intellectuals. Scholars should make efforts to build the whole picture when they study intellectuals or a society. In order to achieve this goal, we must promote discussion and debate first of all. It is because there is a limit to the ability of every scholar. Scholars of Korean Studies are required to have basic knowledge in philosophy, history, social sciences as well as in literature and fine art. And there are more specific conditions. We need to increase the weighting of provocative agenda setting and active debates in peer reviews. It is desirable that academic conferences should be held on controversial themes. And a journal should be established that specializes in discussions and debates.