Coming up: A book on “70 Years of Korean History in India” by Federation of Korean Associations
To be published in English and Korean languages separately, this research-based book will contain the history of arrivals, growth, and struggle of the Korean community and trade and industry in India in the past 70 years.
NEW DELHI/SEOUL: In a landmark development, the apex body of Korean nationals in India – the Federation of Korean Associations in India (FKAI) has decided to publish a book titled “70 Years of Korean History in India” next year. It is the first-ever initiative in India to pen down and put on record the facts about the advent of Korean nationals, and industries into India about 70 years back, and the evolution of the Korean community as well as enormous growth of Korean art and culture in contemporary times here.
The year 2024 marks the 70th anniversary of the existence of Koreans in India, the proposed book will be made available in the public domain by the end of next year. It would be published in English as well as Korean languages to reach out to the maximum audience in India, Korea, and other countries.
The book that is likely to contain the history of arrivals, growth, and struggle of the Korean community and trade and industry in India in the past 70 years will be published based on both primary and secondary research. However, terming this initiative as a community-driven task, FKAI has urged the government of Korea as well as other Indian and Korean institutions and individuals to support this project with money and talent to achieve this target, which is not an easy task.
“The republic of Korea and India share deep-rooted historical bonds with decades of friendship in all spheres of life. Both nations are also historically connected from the year 48AD when an Indian princess Suriratna traveled to Korea and got married to King Kim Suro and became Queen Hwank-Ok Huh (Heo) there 2000 years back. The followed the Korean War (1950-53) when India supported South Korea with paramedics. Entry of Korean companies and their tremendous growth in India forms part of contemporary history,” said Dr. Euy Don Park, President of FKAI which represents nine regions of Korean Associations in India. The Korean community in India has grown to over 17,000 and is likely to soon touch the 20,000 mark. The FKAI is also known as the United Korean Association in India amongst Koreans.
However, Dr. Park said, at present there is no composite literature or a book that contains the rich history and friendship of two great Asian powers. The proposed book “70 Years of Korean History in India” will carry minor to major details about the Korean community and will act like a ’Bible to Korea-related information’ or a Korean encyclopedia in India. The task will involve a massive exercise on research work, interviews, and interactions with young and old Koreans and Indians by finding, collecting, and organizing scattered records of the long history of Koreans in India.
Although FKAI knows that this task will be a huge and difficult one, it believes that someone must do it at this point, so FKAI has gathered the courage and is ready to join forces with all regional Korean communities in India to get the project started.
Dr. Park said, “KFAI is requesting support from the government of the Republic of Korea (Korea Community Affairs Office), and is planning to create a book together with the help of many Korean residents and Indian friends who have an interest or experience in writing and editing.”
“FKAI has urged the Korean nationals staying and working in India and the India-Republic of Korea Friendship Society for their interest and support from this project. In particular, FKAI is inviting any Indian and Korean national in India who can help with archival research advice, contributions, writing, editing, and financial support, as well as those who can donate their talents, and would like to begin the work of compiling 70 years of history together,” Dr. Park added.
The work on this ambitious yet difficult project is likely to start in the current November month only and complete publishing in November 2024.
The 70-year history would include the phase-wise history of Koreans in India such as the dawn period/early entry period/dilemma period/dynamic development period/maturity period/pandemic period/50 and 70 years of diplomatic relations and new challenges. The book also talks about the history of diplomacy, economy, culture, education, and religion in Korea and India, the growth and struggle of Koreans in India (history of the development of Korean associations), the development history of Korean companies entering the Indian market, and life and culture of Koreans in India, history of friendship between Korea and India. At the last, it will carry an appendix containing ‘Listen to the elders’, ‘Greetings that Koreans should remember’, and ‘History of the Korean community in India and major activities of the Korean community’.
Please contact for information: Hyojin Jeong, Secretary General +91 9818834632 h.jeong.tmhgreen@gmail.com
