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International Conference organized by the Korea and the Eastern Bloc Institute of the Charles University in Prague:

Korea and the Eastern Bloc: The Onset of the Cold War and the Involvement of Eastern Bloc Countries in the 1950s and 1960s

Prague, Czechia; 30–31 January 2026

Conference language: English

The early Cold War constituted a formative period for the international order, with the Korean peninsula emerging as a key arena of geopolitical, ideological, and economic contestation. This conference seeks to examine the multifaceted involvement of Eastern Bloc countries in Korea during this critical period. Particular attention will be devoted to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and how political, ideological, cultural, and economic interactions with the Eastern Bloc shaped its development and contributed to the broader dynamics of the Cold War.

By convening scholars primarily from Korean studies, but also from history, political science, international relations, cultural studies, and related disciplines, the conference aims to foster a comprehensive and interdisciplinary dialogue on these under-explored dimensions of Cold War history. 

Suggested Themes

Proposals may address, but are not limited to, the following areas:

• Cultural exchange and transfers
• Economic cooperation and aid
• Diplomatic relations and networks
• Transnational and comparative perspectives
• International student mobility and academic exchange

Submission Guidelines

• Individual papers: Please submit an abstract of no more than 250 words in English, along with a brief biographical note (max. 150 words).

Proposals should be sent to: coldwarkorea@ff.cuni.cz

The venue will take place at Charles University, Prague, Czechia. 

Key Dates

• Deadline for proposals: 30 October 2025
• Notification of acceptance: End of November 2025
• Conference dates: 30–31 January 2026, Prague
• The organizers plan to publish selected conference papers in an edited volume. Authors whose proposals are accepted will be asked to submit their full manuscripts by July 2026.

Financial Support

Subject to the availability of funds, the organizers anticipate covering:

• Accommodation in Prague (2 nights) and travel expenses for participants traveling from Europe.
• Partial support for participants traveling from outside Europe.

Contact & Further Information

Email: coldwarkorea@ff.cuni.cz

Website: www.coldwarkorea.ff.cuni.cz