East Asian Economy and Society

20/05/2026

🧭Between Helsinki and Vienna: North Korea’s Relations with Europe’s Neutrals during the Cold War
📅 Monday, June 1 (17:00–18:15) | 📍 In-person & Online
🔗 RSVP & details: https://ecos.univie.ac.at/lectures/burghart-jun-1-2026

In this guest lecture, drawing on her original research, Dr. Sabine Burghart from the Centre for East Asian Studies at the University of Turku, Finland, will explore the initially cautious interactions between North Korea and Europe’s neutral states prior to the 1970s. She will then examine the development of North Korea’s relations with Finland and Austria leading up to the establishment of diplomatic relations and formal recognition in 1973 and 1974.

You are cordially invited to join us either in-person or online via Zoom!

20/04/2026

🔔 Today’s the day! Join us for our guest lecture with Katharina Zellweger this evening at 17:00 (CEST). We’re looking forward to seeing you there👀

🤝 [Guest Lecture] Humanitarian Aid for North Korea: Past Engagements, Present Challenges
📅 Monday, April 20 | 📍 In-person & Online
🔗 RSVP & details: https://ecos.univie.ac.at/guest-lectures/rsvp-zellweger-april-20/

In this guest lecture, drawing on more than 30 years of field experience in Hong Kong, China and North Korea, Katharina Zellweger will talk about working and living in North Korea and share about the impact on humanitarian aid, relief and development cooperation up to December 2019. She will also discuss present challenges in her field of work, especially since the North Korean government decided to close its borders in January 2020 and since that time, no access has been granted to NGO workers or UN agency staff.

You are cordially invited to join us either in-person or online via Zoom. More information and the sign-up form can be accessed via the link above!

30/03/2026

🤝 [Guest Lecture] Humanitarian Aid for North Korea: Past Engagements, Present Challenges
📅 Monday, April 20 | 📍 In-person & Online
🔗 RSVP & details: https://ecos.univie.ac.at/guest-lectures/rsvp-zellweger-april-20/

In this guest lecture, drawing on more than 30 years of field experience in Hong Kong, China and North Korea, Katharina Zellweger will talk about working and living in North Korea and share about the impact on humanitarian aid, relief and development cooperation up to December 2019. She will also discuss present challenges in her field of work, especially since the North Korean government decided to close its borders in January 2020 and since that time, no access has been granted to NGO workers or UN agency staff.

You are cordially invited to join us either in-person or online via Zoom. More information and the sign-up form can be accessed via the link above!

16/02/2026

🌏 Thinking about a career focused on East Asia? The MA Program in East Asian Economy and Society (EcoS) at the University of Vienna might be the next perfect step in your academic and professional journey!

📅 Application period for the 2026/27 academic year:
March 2 – April 7, 2026

📝 To apply, you will need ..... certificates of your previous academic degree... a proof of English language proficiency at level B2... a CV... a letter of motivation based on our questionnaire.

🔗 Application details can be found here: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/admission/master-programmes/east-asian-economy-and-society/

💡 Curious about degrees eligible for application, program details, career opportunities, and more? Check out our FAQ:
https://ecos.univie.ac.at/prospective-students/

If you are passionate about East Asia and interested in an interdisciplinary, region-focused Master’s program, EcoS might be the right fit for you. we would be happy to welcome you to our community!

📣 Feel free to share this post with anyone who might be interested.

01/10/2025

🌍 The Lee Jae Myung Government's Pragmatic Foreign Policy and Challenges Ahead
📅 Monday, October 27 | 📍 In-person & Online
🔗 RSVP & details: https://ecos.univie.ac.at/guest-lectures/rsvp-chung-in-moon-oct-27/

04/06/2025

⚽ Football in the DPR Korea: Propaganda vs. Practicality
📅 Tuesday, June 10 | 📍 In-person & Online
🔗 RSVP & details: https://ecos.univie.ac.at/guest-lectures/rsvp-yong-ja-hong-june-10/

Join us for a fascinating guest lecture by Yong Ja Hong, PhD candidate at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, as she explores the complex interplay between ideology and athleticism in the DPRK. From Kim Il Sung’s cult of personality to international competitions that forced shifts in policy, this talk dives into the little-known world of North Korean football culture, where winning on the global stage sometimes outweighed toeing the party line.

Whether you're into sports, history, or the inner workings of closed societies, this is one not to miss.

23/04/2025

Join us on April 28 for a guest lecture with an esteemed guest, Mr. Chad O'Carroll, the founder and CEO of NK News, NK Pro, Korea Pro, and the related holding company Korea Risk Group.

How do you go from writing a blog in your spare time to running a subscription-based media company trusted by governments, businesses, and academics worldwide? In this talk, Chad O’Carroll, founder and CEO of NK News, NK Pro, and Korea Pro, shares the inside story of launching and scaling a media business focused on the Korean Peninsula. Drawing from over a decade of experience, he reflects on the challenges of building credibility in a niche geopolitical space, the business model pivots that kept the company sustainable, and the lessons learned about hiring, networking, and building a strong newsroom culture.

Ideal for students interested in journalism, international affairs, or entrepreneurship, this session offers practical insights into navigating uncertain career paths — and turning a personal passion into a globally recognized product.

The lecture will be streamed via Zoom, but we encourage everyone to join us live on campus. Sign up here:

RSVP Chad O'Carroll (April 28)

05/04/2025

🚨 LAST CALL! 🚨
The application period for our master’s program East Asian Economy and Society (EcoS) at the University of Vienna ends on April 7, 2025 — just a few days left to submit your application!

🔗 Get all the info and apply here: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/.../east-asian-economy.../
📧 Questions? Contact us at [email protected]
🌐 Learn more about our program, staff, and what we do: https://ecos.univie.ac.at/

⏳ Deadline: April 7, 2025 — Don’t wait till the last minute. Apply now and take the first step toward understanding East Asia in depth!

Chair of East Asian Economy and Society (EcoS)

24/02/2025

🌟Heads up!🌟
The application window for our master's program East Asian Economy and Society opens on March 3rd, 2025. Don't miss this chance to embark on a transformative journey exploring the economic, social, and cultural dynamics of East Asia at the prestigious University of Vienna.
Why choose our EcoS MA program?
📚Interdisciplinary curriculum: Dive deep into the politics, economics, history, and culture of East Asia. Our program is meticulously designed to cover the most crucial aspects of this vibrant region with a particular focus on China, Japan and the Korean Peninsula.
👩‍🎓Skill development: With a strong emphasis on analytical research and critical thinking, we prepare our students to excel in a rapidly evolving global landscape. We also encourage our students to do internships an study abroad via exchange semesters to broaden their skillset.
✨Vibrant community: Join a network of passionate scholars and peers eager to unravel the complexities of East Asian societies. We are about creating a supportive environment where students from all walks of life can thrive, learn from each other, and build lasting connections.

Ready to Apply?
Visit the admissions website for detailed information and application guidelines --> https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/admission/master-programmes/east-asian-economy-and-society/ . For any questions, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. Your journey towards understanding the intricacies of East Asia starts here!
Further information about our program, staff and activities can be found on our EcoS website: https://ecos.univie.ac.at/

East Asian Economy and Society

21/02/2025

Dear students,

In the upcoming Summer Semester, you will have the opportunity to explore transnational organized crime in East Asia!

How do transnational crimes impact regional dynamics and disrupt cooperation among states, and why do regional organisations like ASEAN struggle to coordinate joint responses? ‘Regionalism, Institutions, and Transnational Crimes in East Asia’ offers students a unique opportunity to tackle these critical questions.

This course will help you...
✔ Understand the obstacles to regional cooperation.
✔ Examine how organisations like ASEAN address transnational crimes.
✔ Learn through a multidisciplinary approach that blends International Relations theory and practical case studies.

Sign up now to join thought-provoking debates on the pressing issues shaping East Asia’s security and policy landscape:

Note on teaching mode:This course will primarily be conducted in an in-person format. Please note that, in the event of alterations to teaching regulations, some units may transition to an online mode. Any such changes will be promptly communicated to students through u:space and Moodle.