It’s finally here! I would like to thank the liberal arts college, English language and literature department, as well as many professors, and the prime project team that was in charge of the financial support for this institute, for their roles in finally opening the Sookmyung Research Institute of Humanities. In recognition of your support, we will do our utmost to become an institute that advocates for the humanities.

The Sookmyung Research Institute of Humanities, which is finally taking its first step, aims to become a hub for a new research paradigm that will lead the research in humanities in Korea. The humanities is fundamentally a discipline that explores people within the world. As the world in which humans live changes, the method for understanding and explaining humans also changes. Furthermore, the 21st century has become so pluralized that it is barely comparable to the past, and the method by which knowledge is created and exchanged is becoming increasingly complex. That is why the humanities needs to become more dynamic and actively respond to changes.

Based on such a perception of reality, the Sookmyung Research Institute of Humanities intends to become a research platform that pursues the following goals. First, we pursue humanities as a comprehensive academic discipline that combines and traverses multiple areas rather than as a fragmented academic discipline. Second, we will create a place for academic communication and discourse, which has been disappearing in college communities. Third, we advocate convergence in humanities to foster close interactions with natural science and science-technology cultures. Fourth, we hope to contribute to the community through the spirit of humanities and by spreading knowledge.

Fortunately, with your support, we were able to win bids for various research projects through the humanities’ city support project. In 2020, we achieved the great feat of being selected for the Humanities Korea Plus (HK+) support project after our third attempt. We will endeavor to gain internal stability in the humanities and contribute to society, thereby creating the opportunity to expand our denotation. In particular, we will strive to become an institute that is not restricted by majors or tracks but one in which the world blends together and one that embraces the entire globe. We ask for your continued support and interest. Thank you.