The Institute for Korean Historical Studies was established on February 21, 1986, as a private research institute, with these aims: first, facilitating collaborative researches on issues of Korean History, second, sharing the fruits of our research with the public, third, suggesting a desirable direction Korea should take in the future through reflections on its history, and fourth, contributing to making Korea a more democratic nation and bringing about peaceful reunification of the peninsula.

The institute has relied on the participation of citizens interested in historical studies in its management, as well as historical researchers. Critical Review of History, a quarterly journal established in 1987, has made a great contribution to sharing modern studies of Korean history with the public. Also, Critical Studies on Modern Korean History was first published in 1996, as an academic journal on modern history of Korea, and has spearheaded fresh and in-depth studies on this controversial area of Korean history.

The Institute for Korean Historical Studies hosts an annual symposium, where lively and fruitful discussions on recent issues of Korean history are had by top researchers. Also, the institute holds places for debate and conferences, leading critical historical research. Furthermore, with an aim of sharing the recent historical studies with more citizens it hosts lectures and history trips, open to the public.

The Institute for Korean Historical Studies has regular academic exchanges with various overseas research institutes in Japan, China, Taiwan, Germany, etc., as well as cooperates with domestic institutes and non-governmental organizations. The institute is an active member of an international solidarity for promoting peace and human rights in East Asia.

The Institute for Korean Historical Studies firmly believes a right historical awareness is a key to solving many thorny issues in Korea. Join us! Your participation will support historical researches and make a difference for human right, peace and justice.

  • 2015
    • Jul.~Sep. Organized the special project, commemorating the 70th
      anniversary liberation 1945, entitled “Liberation”.
  • 2013
    • Jul. 6~20 Organized the special project, commemorating the 60th
      anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, entitled
      “History Talks About Peace”.
  • 2012
    • Sep. 19 100th published Critical Review of History.
  • 2009
    • Oct. 23 Opened the Collection of Kie-chung Pang.
  • 2005
    • Feb. 19 Opened the Center for Collecting Biographical Data of
      Public Figures of Modern Korea.
  • 2000
    • Sep. 22 Organized the first public debate on “The Prospect of
      North and South Relations after the Inter-Korean
      Summit”.
  • 1996
    • Dec. 31 Published the first issue of Critical Studies on Modern History, the historical periodical.
  • 1989~1996
    •   Joined the Commemoration Committee for the 100th
      Anniversary of Gab-o peasants’ War.
  • 1987
    • Sep. 8~Oct. 27 Gave the 1st Korean history class, a public lecture
      course for citizens interested in Korean history.
    • Sep. 29 First published Critical Review of History, a historical
      journal for historians and laymen alike.
  • 1986
    • Feb. 21 The Institute for Korean Historical Studies was
      established with the purpose of deepening people’s
      understanding of Korean history, as a way of a
      contribution toward democratization of Korea.
If you become a member of the Institute of Korean Historical Studies,
you can enjoy the following privileges
  • Receiving newsletters, containing the news of
    various activities of the Institute, by email.
  • Receiving our periodicals,
    Critical Review of History, Critical Studies on
    Modern Korean History, and Bulletin of The Institute
    of Korean Historical Studies.
  • Getting discount by 20 percent
    on participating in our programs including
    field trips and open lectures.
How to become a member of Institute of Korean Historical Studies
You can call our office by 82-2-3672-4191, or email at kistory@kistory.or.kr. Also, you can download the membership
application form at this website www.kistory.or.kr, and send it back to us by fax 82-2-3672-4193 or email.
The membership fee is more than $100 per year.
  • The location is a three to five minute walk from exit 1 of Jegi-dong
    Subway Station, metro line no.1
  • ADDRESS (02576) 13 Wangsan-ro 19ra-gil, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
    TEL 02-3672-4191
    FAX 02-3672-4193
    EMAIL kistory@kistory.or.kr