PhD in Korea&East Asia Studies

Based in Mapo-gu, South Korea, this doctoral track in Korea and East Asia Studies at Sogang University's Graduate School of International Studies focuses on the politics, economies, societies, and international relations of Korea and the wider East Asian region. Doctoral coursework covers East Asian political economy, regional security studies, comparative politics, and both historical and contemporary approaches to Korean studies, before students move into dissertation research on a topic of their choosing. Frequent subjects of study include inter-Korean relations, the foreign policies of China, Japan, and Korea, regional trade and security arrangements, and the domestic institutions that shape decision-making across East Asian states. All coursework is taught in English, which allows the program to bring together students from a range of national backgrounds who contribute comparative viewpoints to regional research. After completing the degree, graduates typically take analyst or researcher roles with government ministries, diplomatic missions, international organizations, and think tanks concentrating on East Asian affairs, or move into journalism, consulting, and corporate positions that call for regional expertise. Some pursue academic careers teaching Korean or East Asian studies at the university level. Seoul's proximity to government agencies, research institutes, and cultural organizations gives doctoral students direct access to sources and contacts relevant to their dissertations, along with opportunities for local fieldwork. The program is structured for completion in two years, with the Graduate School of International Studies admitting new cohorts in both March and September of every year. Students leave the program able to conduct independent scholarly research on the region, having sharpened their academic English throughout coursework and dissertation writing.