About the Journal

Korean Histories was an online peer-reviewed journal published from 2009 to 2014, focusing on historiography as a social process in Korea. It dedicated itself to research that relied heavily on unconventional sources, emphasizing their role in shaping historical narratives for various groups, communities, and both professional and amateur historians.

Overview

Korean Histories was a platform for articles addressing the social representations of Korean histories, incorporating a wide range of subjects and time periods.

The social representations of Korean histories offer insights into the contents, dynamics, and functions of historical narratives in society, particularly when they utilize unconventional, easily accessible, and non-hegemonic sources like music, art, religious concepts, the internet, blogs, advertisements, and literary texts. In its mission to present and enhance understanding of both mainstream and alternative perspectives on Korean history, Korean Histories covered a diverse array of topics, approaches, and historical periods. The journal was unified by its focus on unconventional and informal sources, coupled with a continuous awareness of the social functions of historiography.

History of the Journal

Korean Histories was part of the Centre for Korean Studies at Leiden University’s 5-year research project, “Social Practice: Unconventional Historiographies of Korea”, which was funded by a generous grant from the Academy of Korean Studies in South Korea.

Publication of the journal ceased due to funding issues. However, due to its popularity (garnering approximately 25,000 unique hits per year) and the continued demand for its articles, the journal is being rebooted starting June 1st 2024.

Relaunch

The relaunched Korean Histories will continue to focus on unconventional sources and the writing of history as a social process, inspired by Johan Huizinga. It will also emphasize the following:

Set-up

  • Run by the Leiden University Centre of Korean Studies
  • Editorial board to include Korea-based scholars
  • Open access
  • Rolling acceptance
  • Quick turnaround

Scope

The journal will feature research articles with reflections on:

  • Methodology and sources
  • Translated/annotated primary sources
  • Significant attention to material objects as sources, allowing for academic publications beyond traditional articles
  • Data visualizations, with assistance provided
  • Interviews
  • Archival reports
  • Book reviews
  • Special focus on academically marginalized groups, such as North Korean defectors

Book Reviews

Book reviews cover recent publications in Korean Studies and other disciplinary works with a focus on Korea, broadly understood. Reviews should be between 700 and 900 words and adhere to the journal’s review guidelines. For inquiries, please contact the book review editor, Dr. Steven Denney, at: s.c.denney@hum.leidenuniv.nl.