부산대학교 도서관

This study aimed to prepare a Korean-English Encyclopedia of Korean Culture that will contribute to building knowledge about Korea and expanding the base of Korean studies. As a primary reference material used in education academic research, an encyclopedia is a storage of basic information and general knowledge. However, while knowledge encyclopedias related to Korean culture are subdivided and compiled into specialized fields, those focused on universal knowledge are rare. Considering the diversity of domestic and foreign approaches to Korean studies, it is essential to prepare generalized basic data to increase the number of subsequent generations choosing Korean studies and public interest in the culture. This study aimed to present the theoretical paradigm, character, and principles to be internalized to create this encyclopedia. To set the direction of the knowledge about Korean culture that should be systematized, this study ensured that there is cultural essence in the historically accumulated symbolic meanings, and the systematization is consistent with the establishment of the Korean cultural tradition. Moreover, the encyclopedia should have general and core knowledge, step-by-step organization, and self-reference of synchrony and diachrony as basic characteristics. After revealing the theoretical basis and nature of the Korean–English Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, this study presented the principle of constructing the dictionary and writing the title. Korean– English Encyclopedia of Korean Culture does not materialize only by setting directions. However, this study is significant as it presented a blueprint for the basic book that will contribute to the quantitative and qualitative development of Korean studies by attempting to combine culture and humanities. Future studies should examine specific issues required in the execution of compilation.