Eun-Jeung Lee is since 2008 professor at the FU Berlin, Director of the Institute of Korean Studies. She studied political science at the Ewha University, Korea and the University of Göttingen. She got her PhD in 1993 at the university Göttingen and finished her “Habilitation” in 2001 at the University of Halle, Germany. She taught at Universities in Korea, Japan and Germany. She is a member of Academy of Science and Humanity in Berlin-Brandenburg (f. Prussian Academy of Art and Science), and Academia Europea. In 2019 she has received the Order of Civil Merit, Peony Medal from the Republic of Korea for her research and education activities in the field of unification and transformation and in 2013 Mirok Lee Price for her contribution for German-Korean relation. She has published nine monographs and more than 100 papers, including Sŏwŏn, die konfuzianischen Privatakademien in Korea (Frankfurt a.M. 2016), Ostasien denken (Baden-Baden 2014), Korea im demokratischen Aufschwung (Leipzig 2005) “Anti-Europa”. Die Geschichte der Rezeption des Konfuzianismus und der konfuzianischen Gesellschaft seit der frühen Aufklärung (Münster 2003) and Konfuzianismus und Kapitalismus (Münster 1997). In 2018 she has completed the collection of documents on German unification in 30 volumes.
Industrial development in South Korea since 1961 can be explained in terms of interaction among s... more Industrial development in South Korea since 1961 can be explained in terms of interaction among state, social structure and the world economic system. On the one hand there was a strong state which could plan and lead the industrialization process. On the other hand there were social classes which were not differentiated or strong enough to resist government policy, but highly motivated to achieve material welfare. Conditions in the world market have changed. The continuous increase in the need for cheaper consumer goods after the second world war formed the basis for the successful industrialization throughout the last thirty years. However, since the mid-eighties at the latest, these conditions have changed - above all the social class structure. By authoritarian rule alone the state is no longer able to resolve the social conflicts which pose difficulties for further economic development. Thus, it is now imperative that a new political concept be developed in South Korea which would lead to fair social conditions in conjunction with economic development.
This study investigates public perceptions of South Korea in Europe empirically through a survey.... more This study investigates public perceptions of South Korea in Europe empirically through a survey. Using expert assessments in 19 countries, the results show that Europeans perceive the economic and technological development of South Korea positively, but opinions are more mixed regarding its standing in politics, culture, and education. Furthermore, we find evidence of undervaluation, as South Korea is often regarded as a developing country without well-functioning institutions despite its actual position as a high-income, democratic country. Nonetheless, our study highlights areas of South Korea's recent development that are viewed positively – such as information technology, the Korean Wave, and successful Covid-19 management. Additionally, our results disentangle regional differences inside Europe: more positive public perceptions in Eastern Europe and English-speaking countries, mixed in Southern and Latin Europe, and negative in Central and Northern Europe. Our findings underscore the importance of communicating with foreign publics as part of public diplomacy.
In Korea during the Chosŏn dynasty (1392–1910) Confucian scholars were able to construct a politi... more In Korea during the Chosŏn dynasty (1392–1910) Confucian scholars were able to construct a political and social order and culture around the symbolic space of the Confucian private academy (sŏwŏn) by relying on a tradition of iterative ritual performances. These designated each member of society with a proper social role and universal grammar. The function of the rituals at Confucian private academies was that of a social signifier within the construction of a social contract peculiar to Chosŏn society. The academies spread, which began in the sixteenth century in areas outside the capital, produced a "Confucianization" of traditional rituals, and thence the indoctrination with Confucian morals at the local level. This kind of transformation of society had been the aim of the Chosŏn rulers right from the dynasty's foundation in 1392. However, the driving force behind this transformation was not the center, but local scholars. They wanted to enhance their own social and...
이차 세계대전 이후 독일에서 문화외교를 담당하는 다양한 기관들은 정부의 일상적인 외교정책으로부터 분리, 디커플링 되어 일정한 독자성을 갖고 다른 국가들의 국민들과 소통하고 교... more 이차 세계대전 이후 독일에서 문화외교를 담당하는 다양한 기관들은 정부의 일상적인 외교정책으로부터 분리, 디커플링 되어 일정한 독자성을 갖고 다른 국가들의 국민들과 소통하고 교류하는 문화외교의 개별적인 행위자로서 활동했다. 그런의미에서 방법의 다원성과 행위자의 독자성이 전후 독일 공공외교의 특성이라고할 수 있다. 이 논문에서 주목하는 것은 행위자의 다원성과 독자성을 보장하는 문화외교와 정치 간의 디커플링 원칙이 서독의 대 동독 교류정책에서도 확인될 수있다는 사실이다. 그렇기 때문에 분단 시기 동서독의 교류관계가 정치관계의 변화에 크게 영향을 받지 않고 지속될 수 있었다. 물론 디커플링 원칙에 기반을 둔문화외교 그리고 교류정책이 이룬 성과를 경험적으로 측정하는 것은 불가능하다. 그러나 1990년 동독의 자유총선거에서 동독주민들의 다수가 서독을 동독체제에대한 대안으로 선택하였다는 것과 매년 정기적으로 진행되는 BBC의 설문조사에서몇 년째 독일이 국제사회에서 가장 호감이 가는 나라로 선정되고 있다는 사실은독일식 “공공외교”의 성과라고 할 수 있다. 그런 의미에서 교류관계를 구축하는과정에서 일상정치와 교류를 분리하는 디커플링 정책을 충분히 검토해 볼 필요가있을 것이다.
Industrial development in South Korea since 1961 can be explained in terms of interaction among s... more Industrial development in South Korea since 1961 can be explained in terms of interaction among state, social structure and the world economic system. On the one hand there was a strong state which could plan and lead the industrialization process. On the other hand there were social classes which were not differentiated or strong enough to resist government policy, but highly motivated to achieve material welfare. Conditions in the world market have changed. The continuous increase in the need for cheaper consumer goods after the second world war formed the basis for the successful industrialization throughout the last thirty years. However, since the mid-eighties at the latest, these conditions have changed - above all the social class structure. By authoritarian rule alone the state is no longer able to resolve the social conflicts which pose difficulties for further economic development. Thus, it is now imperative that a new political concept be developed in South Korea which would lead to fair social conditions in conjunction with economic development.
This study investigates public perceptions of South Korea in Europe empirically through a survey.... more This study investigates public perceptions of South Korea in Europe empirically through a survey. Using expert assessments in 19 countries, the results show that Europeans perceive the economic and technological development of South Korea positively, but opinions are more mixed regarding its standing in politics, culture, and education. Furthermore, we find evidence of undervaluation, as South Korea is often regarded as a developing country without well-functioning institutions despite its actual position as a high-income, democratic country. Nonetheless, our study highlights areas of South Korea's recent development that are viewed positively – such as information technology, the Korean Wave, and successful Covid-19 management. Additionally, our results disentangle regional differences inside Europe: more positive public perceptions in Eastern Europe and English-speaking countries, mixed in Southern and Latin Europe, and negative in Central and Northern Europe. Our findings underscore the importance of communicating with foreign publics as part of public diplomacy.
In Korea during the Chosŏn dynasty (1392–1910) Confucian scholars were able to construct a politi... more In Korea during the Chosŏn dynasty (1392–1910) Confucian scholars were able to construct a political and social order and culture around the symbolic space of the Confucian private academy (sŏwŏn) by relying on a tradition of iterative ritual performances. These designated each member of society with a proper social role and universal grammar. The function of the rituals at Confucian private academies was that of a social signifier within the construction of a social contract peculiar to Chosŏn society. The academies spread, which began in the sixteenth century in areas outside the capital, produced a "Confucianization" of traditional rituals, and thence the indoctrination with Confucian morals at the local level. This kind of transformation of society had been the aim of the Chosŏn rulers right from the dynasty's foundation in 1392. However, the driving force behind this transformation was not the center, but local scholars. They wanted to enhance their own social and...
이차 세계대전 이후 독일에서 문화외교를 담당하는 다양한 기관들은 정부의 일상적인 외교정책으로부터 분리, 디커플링 되어 일정한 독자성을 갖고 다른 국가들의 국민들과 소통하고 교... more 이차 세계대전 이후 독일에서 문화외교를 담당하는 다양한 기관들은 정부의 일상적인 외교정책으로부터 분리, 디커플링 되어 일정한 독자성을 갖고 다른 국가들의 국민들과 소통하고 교류하는 문화외교의 개별적인 행위자로서 활동했다. 그런의미에서 방법의 다원성과 행위자의 독자성이 전후 독일 공공외교의 특성이라고할 수 있다. 이 논문에서 주목하는 것은 행위자의 다원성과 독자성을 보장하는 문화외교와 정치 간의 디커플링 원칙이 서독의 대 동독 교류정책에서도 확인될 수있다는 사실이다. 그렇기 때문에 분단 시기 동서독의 교류관계가 정치관계의 변화에 크게 영향을 받지 않고 지속될 수 있었다. 물론 디커플링 원칙에 기반을 둔문화외교 그리고 교류정책이 이룬 성과를 경험적으로 측정하는 것은 불가능하다. 그러나 1990년 동독의 자유총선거에서 동독주민들의 다수가 서독을 동독체제에대한 대안으로 선택하였다는 것과 매년 정기적으로 진행되는 BBC의 설문조사에서몇 년째 독일이 국제사회에서 가장 호감이 가는 나라로 선정되고 있다는 사실은독일식 “공공외교”의 성과라고 할 수 있다. 그런 의미에서 교류관계를 구축하는과정에서 일상정치와 교류를 분리하는 디커플링 정책을 충분히 검토해 볼 필요가있을 것이다.
Korea plays a special role in the intellectual history of East Asia. Ever since the earliest time... more Korea plays a special role in the intellectual history of East Asia. Ever since the earliest times in their history, the states on the Korean peninsula have absorbed Chinese culture as well as other intellectual influences – e.g. Buddhism and, since the 18th century, Christian teachings – and developed independent interpretations of these doctrines. At the forefront of the various ideological currents was Confucianism, both as a state doctrine and as an everyday ethical system for Korean society as a whole. Despite all the transformations brought about by Korea's modernization over the past hundred years, Confucianism still plays an important role in Korea as well as in the current renaissance of Confucian doctrine in East Asia. This book traces the historical development of Confucianism on the Korean peninsula, describes its political instrumentalizations, and shows the diversity of its manifestations in Korea's past and present.
The fifteen studies presented in Confucian Academies in East Asia offer insight into the history ... more The fifteen studies presented in Confucian Academies in East Asia offer insight into the history and legacy of these unique institutions of knowledge and education. The contributions analyze origins, spread and development of Confucian academies across China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan from multiple perspectives. This edited volume is one of the first attempts to understand Confucian academies as a complex transnational, intellectual, and cultural phenomena that played an essential role in various areas of East Asian education, philosophy, religious practice, local economy, print industry, and even archery. The broad chronological range of essays allows it to demonstrate the role of Confucian academies as highly adaptable and active agents of cultural and intellectual change since the eighth century until today. An indispensable handbook for studies of Confucian culture and institutions since the eighth century until the present.
Among Koreans, “Have you eaten yet?” is a common form of morning greeting. One would not think it... more Among Koreans, “Have you eaten yet?” is a common form of morning greeting. One would not think it strange even to be greeted like that in a morning program on the radio. To non-Koreans, a morning greeting of “Have you eaten yet?” sounds rather odd, and they tend to take these words to mean an invitation to have breakfast together. They are the more surprised when their friend or acquaintance proceeds to pass them without so much as another word. ...
Wierlacher, Alois (Hrsg.).2018. Kulinaristik des Frühstücks. Breakfast across Cultures
Der Konfuzianismus ist auch im Westen keine unbekannte Lehre mehr. Zugleich trifft man ihr gegenü... more Der Konfuzianismus ist auch im Westen keine unbekannte Lehre mehr. Zugleich trifft man ihr gegenüber auf erhebliche Vorurteile. Insbesondere im Zusammenhang mit der Debatte um den Kommunitarismus wird der Konfuzianismus häufig als kulturelle Grundlage autoritärer politischer Herrschaft hingestellt. Das ist nicht vollkommen falsch, beruht aber auf einer einseitigen Wahrnehmung des Konfuzianismus. Tatsächlich blickt dieser auf eine lange Geschichte politischer Instrumentalisierungen zurück. Gleichwohl enthält diese Lehre Konzepte, die dem gemeinschaftlichen Zusammenleben förderlich sein können.
Erschienen in: Walter Reese-Schäfer (hrsg): Handbuch Kommunitarismus. Springer Reference Geisteswissenschaften book series
In dem Gebiet um den Gelben Fluss hat sich die chinesische Zivilisation vor 4000 bis 5000 Jahren ... more In dem Gebiet um den Gelben Fluss hat sich die chinesische Zivilisation vor 4000 bis 5000 Jahren entwickelt. Schon in jener Zeit bildeten sich Staatsformen heraus, deren Struktur und Macht weit komplexer waren als die von Stammesgesellschaften. In den benachbarten Gebieten wie Korea, Japan und Vietnam haben bereits im 1. Jahrhundert v. u. Z. damit begonnen, auf direktem oder indirektem Weg Elemente der chinesischen Zivilisation und staatlichen Ordnung zu rezipieren. Indem diese Königreiche eine Art tributärer Beziehungen mit den chinesischen Dynastien eingingen, konnte sich in Ostasien ein chinesischer Kulturkreis etablieren. Auf diese Weise bildete das politische Denken des antiken Chinas zugleich die Grundlage des politischen Denkens in Ostasien. Das antike politische Denken hat sich in China zwischen dem 5. und dem 3. Jahrhundert v. u. Z. entwickelt, also in einer Zeit, die in der chinesischen Geschichte als die Epoche von »Frühling und Herbst und der Kämpfenden Reiche« (770–221 v. u. Z.) bezeichnet wird.
Erschienen in: Samuel Salzborn (Hg.). Handbuch Politische Ideengeschichte. Zugänge-Methoden-Strömungen, Stuttgart: J.B. Metzler, S. 82 - 91
베를린장벽 붕괴(1989) 및 독일 재통일(1990) 30주년을 맞아 ‘냉전체제의 상징’에서 ‘분단극복의 모델’이자 ‘세계문화의 중심’이 된 도시 베를린의 극적인 변모 과정을... more 베를린장벽 붕괴(1989) 및 독일 재통일(1990) 30주년을 맞아 ‘냉전체제의 상징’에서 ‘분단극복의 모델’이자 ‘세계문화의 중심’이 된 도시 베를린의 극적인 변모 과정을 복원해낸 『베를린, 베를린』이 출간되었다. 2차대전 이후 베를린은 냉전체제의 최전선으로서 40년을 보냈다. 당시 동독 영토 한가운데 떠 있는 섬과 같았던 서베를린은 동서독의 갈등 원인이기도 했지만, 양측 정부로 하여금 교류를 모색하게 만드는 이유이기도 했다. 저자 이은정(베를린자유대학교 한국학과 교수)은 1945년 2차대전 종료부터 2019년 현재까지 독일 통일의 역사적 순간을 두루 살피면서 이제껏 뚜렷이 드러나지 않았던 베를린 주민들의 생활상과 동서독 교류의 구체적 양상, 당국 간 협상의 막전막후를 생생하게 추적한다. 국내외의 기존 관련 도서가 대부분 베를린장벽 붕괴 전후의 지정학을 주목하거나 정치지도자의 관점에서 서술하는 데 반해, 이 책은 1984년부터 독일에서 생활해온 저자가 방대한 자료를 직접 살피고 관계자 인터뷰를 통해 분단된 베를린의 실상을 입체적이고 균형감 있게 집약해냈다. 베를린과 독일의 경험을 바탕으로 남북협력 방안의 구체적 로드맵을 연구하고 한반도 평화구축 문제를 세계정세 속에서 파악해온 저자는 대립하는 두 체제 간의 타협과 협력, 끊임없는 교류가 결국 독일 통일의 원동력이었음을 드러낸다. 촛불혁명의 힘으로 급진전을 이룬 남북관계를 소통과 교류의 방향으로 전환시킬 과제를 안고 있는 우리에게 나침반 같은 의미를 제공할 책이라 기대한다.
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Papers by Eun-Jeung Lee
Wierlacher, Alois (Hrsg.).2018. Kulinaristik des Frühstücks. Breakfast across Cultures
Erschienen in: Walter Reese-Schäfer (hrsg): Handbuch Kommunitarismus. Springer Reference Geisteswissenschaften book series
Erschienen in: Samuel Salzborn (Hg.). Handbuch Politische Ideengeschichte. Zugänge-Methoden-Strömungen, Stuttgart: J.B. Metzler, S. 82 - 91