From February 6 to 7, 2026, the Contemporary Korea Research Group held a group workshop in Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do. The workshop was attended by Director Hyeong-Ki Kwon, the leaders of each research team, research assistants, and many participating researchers. Over the course of the workshop, participants shared the research achievements of the Group’s second project year and discussed the direction and details of the research activities planned for the third year.

The workshop began on the morning of February 6, when participants gathered at the main gate of Seoul National University before departing for Forest Resom, located near Parkdaljae Pass in Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do.

The meeting was held in a conference room at Forest Resom. During the meeting, each sub-research team reported on the progress of its research. Participants also discussed the research activity plans for the third project year, the publication schedule for the Palgrave series, and the theme and structure of the Third International Conference. In particular, with most of the research team leaders in attendance, Professor Hong-Jung Kim of the Department of Sociology at Seoul National University gave a presentation titled “Some Reflections on ‘Korea as Method.’” Following Professor Kim’s presentation, participants engaged in an in-depth discussion on the theme of the Third International Conference.

The program on February 7 centered on a hike up Bibongsan Mountain, one of Jecheon’s most scenic natural attractions. After taking a commemorative group photo at the summit of Bibongsan, which is surrounded on all sides by Cheongpung Lake, the participants concluded the official program and returned to Seoul National University, bringing the workshop to a close.