Compilation of 'New Gyeonggi Province History' Intensifies…Research Topics to be Identified in First Half of Next Year

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun, Reporter] Gyeonggi Province is now in full swing in compiling the 'Gyeonggi Province History (道史)' to establish provincial identity and foster community consciousness.

The province plans to collect and organize historical materials centered on research topics to be identified in the first half of next year, and compile 'New Gyeonggi Province History' research materials by 2024.

On the 26th, Gyeonggi Province held an 'Academic Conference for the Compilation of 2021 New Gyeonggi Province History' at the conference room of the Gyeonggi R&DB Center in Suwon.

Following the reorganization of the Gyeonggi Province History Compilation Committee in August of last year to resume the compilation of Gyeonggi Province history, which had been suspended since 2009, this was the first academic conference. The conference proceeded by sharing the research directions the Compilation Committee had contemplated and advice from external experts.

First, Hong Young-ui, a professor at Kookmin University and member of the compilation committee, analyzed Gyeonggi Province's development process according to the flow of eras from prehistoric times to the present through the diversity and transformation of culture, and defined Gyeonggi Province's identity as 'open-minded and enterprising.'

Kang Jeong-won, a professor at Seoul National University and another member of the compilation committee, explained the mutual relationship between historical records that contain history and folklore records, and emphasized that folk culture expressed through people's actions should be included in the Gyeonggi Province history.

He also mentioned the necessity of collecting biographical materials on various figures and establishing a digital archive.

Lee Jeong-hun, Director of the Northern Research Center of the Gyeonggi Research Institute and an external expert, proposed advancing digital compilation work to continuously update information on historical materials, cultural heritage, and regional conditions in accordance with the information age.

In addition, Park Myeong-ho, Head of the History Compilation Division at the Seoul History Compilation Institute, presented 'Establishing Regional Identity through the Compilation of Seoul History,' and Lee Yeon-sim, Standing Member of the Busan History Compilation Committee, presented 'Current Status of Busan History Compilation and the Importance of Regional History Research' through case presentations, respectively.

The province plans to identify research topics for Gyeonggi Province history compilation in the first half of next year based on the content shared at this day's academic conference and expert advisory meetings.

The Gyeonggi Province History Compilation Committee will conduct material collection and research activities centered on the identified research topics, and the results will be compiled as 'New Gyeonggi Province History' in 2024.

This marks a new publication of Gyeonggi Province history, which was first published in 1955 and subsequently lost its continuity in 2009 when the final 14 volumes were completed.

Yang Bo-gyeong, President of Sungshin Women's University and Chair of the Gyeonggi Province History Compilation Committee, said, "In the process of compiling Gyeonggi Province history, we should undertake this as a social responsibility to record Gyeonggi Province, which has been a site of upheaval in modern and contemporary Korea, from new perspectives and viewpoints, and convey its contents and memories to future generations."

Kim Jin-ki, Director of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of Gyeonggi Province, said, "The Gyeonggi Province history compilation project is an undertaking that establishes Gyeonggi Province's identity through research into Gyeonggi Province history and creates an opportunity to recover the homogeneity of Gyeonggi Province residents. We will actively review matters discussed at the academic conference and reference them in identifying topics for Gyeonggi Province history."

Meanwhile, the academic conference was live-streamed online through the Gyeonggi Province Office YouTube channel.