The Korea Foundation regularly provides universities, public libraries, research institutes, and cultural organizations abroad with Korea-related print and multimedia materials in an effort to facilitate and encourage education and research on Korea in countries around the world. In 2009, the Foundation distributed 12,950 copies of materials, in Korean and other languages, to 236 institutions in 52 countries worldwide.
Materials for Regular Distribution, which have been mailed out in mid-December 2009, will be arriving at the recipient institutions in 2-3 months (depending on region). Each institution will be notified of the details of the materials distribution, including a list of the specific items in the shipment, in early January 2010.
The Foundation annually compiles a bibliography of Korean Studies resources, based upon recommendations from its advisory council, comprising scholars from various fields of study, from which a program institution can select desired items, in line with its particular interests. For the 2009 program, “A History of Contemporary Korean Literature” (Seoul National University Press) was the most popular item out of the 203 titles published in Korea, with requests from 120 institutions. “Basic Korean: A Grammar and Workbook” (Routledge) was the most requested item among 83 books published outside Korea, with requests from 97 institutions. As for multimedia materials, “Clay Odyssey” (World Digital Entertainment) was the most popular title, with requests from 71 institutions.
Of note, in line with a sharp increase among scholars and students for online resources, the Foundation has made available financial support for Korea-related online content in 2009. After approving grant awards to 29 universities of three countries, with partial assistance for the subscription fees for Korean Studies databases (matching-fund support), the Foundation intends to expand this program to a larger number of worldwide recipients in 2010. Guidelines on financial support for the subscription costs of online resources, for 2010, will be released in late January 2010, through a notice on the Foundation website.
