You Jae Lee

Professor You Jae Lee is a full Professor of Korean Studies at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, where he holds a W3-professorial chair. He is affiliated with the Faculty of Humanities, Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies, Department of Korean Studies. He serves as Managing Director of the Department, Director of the Center for Korean Studies, and Director of the King Sejong Institute Tübingen. His academic leadership and institutional roles underscore his central position in advancing Korean studies in Europe.

• Dr. phil. in History, University of Erfurt
• Master of Arts, Freie Universität Berlin
• Undergraduate studies in History, Korean Studies, Philosophy, and Political Science at Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, and Seoul National University

Professor Lee's research lies at the intersection of modern and contemporary Korean history, postcolonial theory, Cold War dynamics, and transnational migration. His work emphasizes everyday life, diaspora formation, and the cultural history of religion and missions. He has pioneered studies on Korean labor migration to Germany, particularly focusing on miners and nurses, and explores how colonial legacies, religious movements, and Cold War geopolitics have shaped Korean society and its global diaspora.

The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong thematic focus on migration, memory, and transnational encounters. His scholarly output spans Korean diaspora in Germany, Cold War solidarity, missionary history, and conceptual history. These articles demonstrate a consistent engagement with oral history, material culture, and identity formation, often bridging Korean and German historical experiences. His work is published in both Korean and German, reflecting his bilingual and binational scholarly perspective.

While no formal scientific awards are listed in the provided text, Professor Lee's editorial and research leadership roles—such as directing the AKS Strategic Research Institute and curating major exhibitions—highlight his recognition in the academic community.

Professor Lee has supervised numerous research initiatives, edited significant volumes, and led externally funded projects such as the AKS Tübingen Global Korea Project and the TUDOKU-Netzwerk. He has advised collaborative teams and doctoral researchers, though specific student names are not listed. His public engagement includes media appearances, podcasts, and opinion columns, extending the impact of his academic work into public discourse.

He leads the AKS Strategic Research Institute and has directed the King Sejong Institute Tübingen since 2012. His team has produced exhibitions like 'Shared. Divided. United. Deutschland-Korea' and research networks such as TUDOKU-Netzwerk, focusing on everyday history in Korean studies. These initiatives reflect a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to Korean-German historical research.