The Northeast Asian History Foundation is co-hosting together with Kyungpook National University''s Institute for Research and Support for Korea-China Exchange an international symposium to examine relations between Goryeo and Yuan China in the 13th and 14th centuries.

To properly understand the history of Goryeo of the 13th and 14th centuries, there needs to be an understanding of Yuan China (Great Mongol Empire). However, existing domestic research on Goryeo either limits its history to internal matters or fails to sufficiently consider research on Yuan China.

This symposium, held under the theme "East Asia and Goryeo in the 13th & 14th Centuries: Research on Relations Between Goryeo and Yuan China," will invite exchanges between scholars on both sides to further add to existing studies on Goryeo during the time of Yuan China''s rule. The symposium is also expected to improve understanding of the Great Mongol Empire''s system of rule over its conquered areas.

This symposium will be attended by historians of all ages from Korea, China, and Japan currently researching the topics of Goryeo history and Yuan China history. The first session will feature a presentation by Nanjing University''s Professor Chen dezhi on how Goryeo-Yuan relations developed after Kublai Khan''s Goryeo policy met a certain turning point. Professor Chen dezhi is internationally renowned for his work on Yuan China''s history and the history of the Mongol Empire.

At the second session, Professor Lee Ikju of University of Seoul will present his "Kublai Khan''s old system" theory, which claims that Goryeo-Mongol relations during the time of the Yuan Dynasty repeat the same patterns of the tribute-investiture relations Goryeo had with past Chinese dynasties. This is the opposite view held by Professor Morihara, (Kyushu University) who argues that "Goryeo and Mongol''s tribute-investiture relations had uniquely Mongolian characteristics." It will be interesting to see how the debates develop at this session.