Koret Fellowship in Korea Studies
Koret Fellowship in Korean Studies
Promoting research on contemporary Korean affairs and strengthening U.S.-Korea relations
About the Koret Fellowship
The Koret Fellowship in Korean Studies brings leading professionals and scholars from Asia and the United States to Stanford to conduct research on contemporary Korean affairs, with the broad aim of strengthening U.S.-Korea ties. The fellowship was established in 2008 by the Korea Program at the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (Shorenstein APARC) with generous support by the Koret Foundation.Since its inception, the fellowship has expanded its research focus to include social, cultural, and educational issues in North and South Korea.
The Koret fellow participates in the program while undertaking original research on contemporary Korea. The fellow also plays a lead role in organizing the Koret Workshop, a major conference that is held each year at Stanford in conjunction with the Koret fellowship and convenes an international panel of experts in Korean affairs. A public keynote address by a prominent figure is an important feature of the event.
Appointments begin in the fall quarter of the academic year. The Koret fellow is provided a monthly stipend.
Publication Spotlight
Proceedings of the ninth annual Koret Workshop, published as a special section in the July/August 2019 issue of the journal Asian Survey, provide a new framework in both social discourse and policy to better understand the varied complexities of Korea’s increasingly diverse migrants.
Application Process
Applications for the 2020-21 Koret Fellowship are now closed. Please check back in spring 2021 for updated information about next year's fellowship.
Required Application Materials, in PDF Format:
- Curriculum vitae
- Two (2) letters of recommendation
- A short research statement (not to exceed 1,000 words) that describes the research to be undertaken including the topic, methodology, and contribution to the field.
Submissions and Inquiries
Address all application materials and questions to:
Heather Ahn
Program Manager, Korea Program
Shorenstein APARC
Stanford University
Encina Hall E301
Stanford, CA 94305-6055
(650) 724-8271
Meet Our Koret Fellows
Robert R. King
Koret Fellow, 2019-20 (Fall Quarter)
Senior Adviser, Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic & International Studies
Former special envoy for North Korean human rights Issues at the U.S. Department of State
Victor Cha
Koret Fellow, 2019-20 (Winter Quarter)
D.S. Song-KF Professor in Government and International Affairs at Georgetown University
Senior Adviser and Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic & International Studies
Victor Cha on North Korean Nuclear Deadlock, COVID-19 Threat
In a virtual Q&A, Cha discusses North Korea's renewed weapons testing, the COVID-19 threat to the country, its human rights problem, and more. Watch now >>
Former Fellows
2018-19
Andray Abrahamian
Current Institution: U.S. Department of State
- Learn about Abrahamian's book, Being in North Korea, which he wrote during his Koret fellowship.
- Watch Abrahamian in a conversation about his book.
- Watch our 2019 video interview with Abrahamian.
2017-18
Kyo-hyun Kim
Former Senior National Security Advisor to President, Blue House
2016-17
Rennie Moon
Current Institution: Yonsei University
2015-16
Joon Nak Choi
Current Institution: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
2014-15
Yeon cheon Oh
Former President, Seoul National University
2013-14
Kathleen Stephens
Current Institution: Korea Economic Institute of America
2012-13
Joon Seok Hong
Current Institution: Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP
2011-12
Joon-woo Park
Former Ambassador to the EU
2010-11
Sang-Hun Choe
Current Institution: New York Times
2009-10
Byongwon Bahk
Current Institution: POSCO
2008-09
Byung Kwan Kim
Former Deputy commander, ROK-US Combined Forces Command and Commander, Ground Component Command