“Philosophizing Han Kang: as Contemporary Korean Philosophy” is a series designed to read the works of Han Kang—one of the most significant voices in contemporary Korean literature—through a philosophical lens.
The series explores the distinctive narrative language and style of Han’s fiction while reflecting deeply on history, community, and solidarity in modern Korean society.

The fifth session, to be held on October 31, features Professor Sungmoon Kim from City University of Hong Kong, who will discuss the role and value of Confucian communitarianism in today’s Korean society.

As pluralism and multiculturalism continue to grow, diverse values coexist and sometimes clash with traditional Confucian ideals that understand democracy as social harmony and view citizens as members of a moral family.

This lecture examines how Confucian thought can coexist with pluralistic values and rethinks Confucian democracy as a form of political unity rather than moral unity.
By distinguishing between moral and civic virtues, Professor Kim offers a new perspective on how Confucian democracy can move beyond a mere reinterpretation of tradition to serve as a culturally grounded and practically relevant framework for strengthening democracy in contemporary Korea.

We warmly invite all those interested to join us for this insightful discussion.

•Date and Time: October 31, 2025, 10:00~12:00

•Title: Confucian Culture, Law, and Korean Democracy

•Speaker: Sungmoon Kim (City University of Hong Kong)

•Location: Room 32208, Dasan Hall of Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences Campus, and Zoom

(Zoom Link: https://skku-edu.zoom.us/j/83493464487?pwd=otqazeJXFe05bFBMVqh9SgIKHtvbIl.1)

(Zoom ID: 834 9346 4487 암호: kaep2025)