The Institute of Korean Cultural Studies established on March 1, 1978, aims to contribute to the development of Korean culture through scientific research and studies on all aspects of Yeong-nam region. To achieve this goal, In 1981, the Institute integrated "Institute of Silla-Gaya Culture" and combined the scientific activities of professors from Yeongnam University, as well as other research workers and research professors who are considered to be leaders in the field.

Together, their efforts with the Institute created

• 1) The department of research cooperation and study,
• 2) The research department of Buddhism and its culture
• 3) The research department of Confucianism and its culture
• 4) The research department of folklore and society
• 5) The research department of Dok-Do island and the Sea
• 6) The research department of Korean abroad
• 7) The research and study department of buried cultural assets.

We have concentrated our research on the study of culture in Yeong-nam region as well as the study of our overall national culture. 
Thus, we have become a pivotal research institute in the field of national culture and its study. As a result, in 1994, Korea Research Foundation selected us as the best research institute and as "the Center of Institute" in 1996 and continues to support in 2003. We also were honored by Cultural Properties Adminstration and have been working as "the institute of researching buried cultural assets" since 1999. We have achieved such success as a result of our organization of many cultural assets scattered throughout the Yeong-nam region, including old documents, oral literature, and folklore, using a different approach from the conventional norm. We will make every effort to form a basis for the research of Korean studies, and the globalization of Korean culture through the new recognition.

Research and Study

• (1) Scientific research for succession and development of Yeong-nam region and Korean culture.
• (2) Research of basic information of traditional culture.
• (3) Study for scientific development on Korean studies.
• (4) Publication and release of the results of research on Korean studies.
• (5) Creating an undergraduate liberal arts course as well as a "Department of Korean Studies" for graduate school.
• (6) Education of Korean studies for Korean people in Korea and from abroad.
• (7) Conservation of traditional culture through research and studies of buried cultural assets.
• (8) Publication of a series about "Study on Korean culture and its documents" and a series about "Theses on Korean culture".
• (9) Holding various academic activities such as special lectures on Korean culture.
• (10) Other related programs.