Royal Asiatic Society still strong

● Name of Club: The Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch, usually shortened to RASKB, or even “the RAS.” We have a very fine logo using difficult Chinese characters; they basically mean “Korea deserves to be better known.” Our Wikipedia page explains it at length.


● Location: All over Korea and even beyond when we go on excursions; in Somerset Palace near Anguk station when we are listening to lectures.

● Number of members: Perhaps 600 or even more, paid-up or previously paid-up, since we like to think of people who used to attend our events when they lived here, or who attend our events without being paid-up members, as at least near-members.

● Started: RASKB was first founded in 1900. We stopped meeting during the Pacific War and started again in 1947; we stopped meeting during the Korean War and started again in 1957. We have been going non-stop since then.

Who is it for? Anyone who wants to learn more about Korea, its history, culture, nature, people, past and present, using English as the main language of communication. Koreans and non-Koreans, younger and older, are all equally welcome.

What goes on? Twice a month, the second and fourth Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m., we meet to hear a lecture on some aspect of Korea. This year’s topics have included: pansori for modern life; Korean business culture; Korean classical cinema; North Korean cartoon books and K-pop. Almost every weekend we propose an excursion, usually to some significant cultural site, perhaps a remote temple or mountain or the old buildings in Seoul but sometimes simply out into Seoul to sample Korean food or do some shopping. We have a study-group where people meet to talk about Korean literature in English translation; in another group, one of our members, an expert photographer, gives others the benefit of his expertise, to help them shoot better pictures.

Plans for the future? Mainly we want to find ways of going on, but with more people, especially those recently arrived in Korea who might not know we exist.

How to join: Full information can be found by clicking on “membership” at our home page, http://www.raskb.com/or by calling our office (02) 763-9483.

Membership fees? Students pay 30,000 won a year, other individual members 70,000. Couples enjoy a bargain at 100,000 won for two. People who are not members make a small donation at the door for lectures.

What is the highlight of the year? For many years now we have organized a garden party in May, for members only. One year it is in the British Ambassador’s garden and in the next year in the American ambassador’s garden. Both are very special locations that are not usually open to the public. For a lot of people that is the highlight, and many even join simply for the privilege of attending it.