WGI and SNU successfully co-host “Olympic, Democracy, and Peace” conference and seminar in Seoul
The Willibald Gebhardt Institute (WGI), in collaboration with the Department of Physical Education and the Institute of Sport Science at Seoul National University (SNU), successfully co-hosted the 2025 Korean-German Joint Conference & Invited Seminar on “Olympic, Democracy, and Peace” in Seoul.
On October 30, leading Korean scholars in sport history, philosophy, sociology, and international sport studies presented their research and participated in a general discussion. Prof. Emer. Dr. Michael Krüger, WGI Vice-President for Olympic Studies, delivered a keynote lecture on Germany’s experiences and perspectives on the Olympic Movement, followed by an active discussion and Q&A session. Prof. Dr. Okseon Lee, Chair of the Department of Physical Education at SNU, warmly welcomed Prof. Emer. Dr. Michael Krüger as the keynote speaker and expressed her intention to further strengthen the academic partnership among WGI, the University of Münster, and Seoul National University. The outcomes of this academic conference will be published next year as a collection of papers (Sammelband). On October 31, Prof. Emer. Dr. Michael Krüger conducted an invited seminar titled “Olympism – A Universal Philosophy.” Graduate students of SNU and members of the Korean Society for the History of Physical Education, Sport, and Dance (KSHPESD) attended the seminar and engaged in enthusiastic discussions on the historical and philosophical foundations and educational values of Olympism.
During his visit, Prof. Emer. Dr. Michael Krüger explored key sites of historical and cultural importance in Korea. On November 2, he visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and the Odusan Unification Observatory, gaining deeper insights into the history of Korea’s division. On November 3, he met with representatives from the Korea Institute of Sport Science (KISS), the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), and the Korean Institute for Olympic Studies at the Korea National Sport University (KNSU). He also met with the preparatory team for the National Sports Museum, scheduled to open in 2026, and shared his academic insights on the foundation and management of sport museums in his capacity as President of the DAGS. Both sides agreed to continue strengthening future cooperation.
Meanwhile, Yoonkyu Song, Ph.D. candidate at the Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Münster, and the Willibald Gebhardt Institute, was invited as a guest lecturer for the undergraduate course “History and Philosophy of Physical Education” at SNU on November 4. His lecture, titled “The Origins of Physical Education and the Role of the Sport History and Sport Philosophy,” provided valuable academic insights based on his research and international experience.
WGI sincerely thanks Seoul National University’s Department of Physical Education and Institute of Sport Science for their warm hospitality and excellent organization of this joint academic event. WGI looks forward to deepening this fruitful collaboration in the future.