I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia. Prior to the Ph.D. program, I earned my MA degree in the Department of History at Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea, focusing on Sino-Korean relations between 1882 and 1884. My current research interest is Korea’s military reform and its military exchanges with foreign countries, such as China, Japan, Russia, and the U.S. in the late 19th century.
I am not sure when I became interested in Korea’s military affairs, but my research topic probably has to do with my experience in the Korean army. I finished the two-year military duty as a rank and file. In addition, military reform processes can directly and comprehensively show how Korea reacted to the expansion of Western power in East Asia. Korea as well as East Asian countries commonly attempted to transform their traditional military system to cope with Western powers’ invasion, yet each nation’s political, financial, and social institutions greatly affected the military reform policies. At the same time, military reform was diplomatic affairs as well. Korea adopted military systems and invited military advisors from various foreign countries. However, Korea’s military policy fluctuated according to its diplomatic circumstance with foreign countries. Indeed, Korea’s military reform in the late 19th century was not just domestic affairs but also global affairs.
Outside of studies, I have a lot of hobbies, including hiking, cycling, and golfing. Vancouver is the best place for the exercises although these outdoor activities are difficult to enjoy in Raincouver during winter. Also, I am a big fan of baseball, and I wish somebody brings an MLB franchise to Vancouver in the future.