September 4, 2010 marks the 80th anniversary of the outstanding Korean scholar and orientalist, leading researcher of the Department of Korea and Mongolia of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Candidate of Historical Sciences Yuri Vasilyevich Vanin.

Yu. V. Vanin was born in the village of Pissovo, Lev-Tolstovsky district, Ryazan region. In 1949-1954, he studied at the Faculty of History of the Lomonosov Moscow State University as a member of the first Korean group in the history of the university, created and led by M. N. Pak. After graduating from Moscow State University in 1954, he was recommended for correspondence postgraduate studies at the university, but did not dare to enter it. In 1954-1957, he was a history teacher at a secondary school in the village of Phosphorite Mine, Yegoryevsky District, Moscow Region. 1957-1960-post-graduate student of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the USSR Academy of Sciences. Initially prepared a dissertation on the topic: "The struggle of the Korean people against the Mongol conquerors in the XIII-XIV centuries "(scientific supervisor-M. N. Pak). At the insistence of the USSR Foreign Ministry, which considered this name "interference" in the relations of two neighboring peoples, the theme was changed - "Feudal Korea in the XIII-XIV centuries". By the time of the end of graduate school, the dissertation was ready, but it was not possible to defend it for a number of reasons. Thus, in connection with the harsh speech of the DPRK press in 1961 regarding the preface of M. N. Park to the Russian translation of the History of Korea (Vol. 1. 1960) the publication of articles on the ancient and Middle Ages of Korea was temporarily suspended. The defense of the dissertation took place only on February 25, 1963, and Yuri Vasilyevich was awarded the degree of Candidate of Historical Sciences. Since November 1960, he has been a junior researcher, since December 1965-a senior researcher at the Institute, since February 1985-head of the Korea sector of the Department of Socialist Asian countries, in 1987-2005-head of this department, which was transformed in 1992 into the Department of Korea and Mongolia.

During all his years at the Institute of Oriental Studies, Yu. V. Vanin actively participated in the preparation of reference and analytical materials for the highest state authorities on Korean problems. A significant place was given to controversial issues of Korean history, as well as the historiography of the DPRK, which earlier than anywhere else reflected some changes in the ideology and policy of the republic that occurred under the influence of the "Jucheization" of society. In collaboration with other Korean scholars of the Institute, he published several works in the "Special Bulletin" of the Institute of Korean Studies of the USSR Academy of Sciences, intended for information of relevant institutions and departments of the country. For the same purpose, he periodically compiled detailed analytical reviews of the Ye Kwahak journal (Historical Science, North Korea).

Since the early 1980s, together with G. F. Kim, E. M. Primakov, F. I. Shabshina, V. K. Pak, V. D. Tikhomirov and other scientists, he formulated and argued in analytical notes the need to review the USSR's policy towards the Republic of Korea and normalize relations with it. In October 1988, he participated in a meeting in the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPSU, where a document was developed on the basis of which direct economic cooperation between the USSR and Kazakhstan began in 1989, and in 1990 diplomatic relations were established between them.

Since the early 1960s, Yu. V. Vanin has been a member of the Central Board of the Society of Soviet-Korean Friendship, currently Vice-President of the Russian Society for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with the DPRK, adviser and consultant to several associations of Russian Koreans. He has repeatedly spoken in the central press about the mistakes made in the Korean policy of the Russian Federation since the early 1990s. He was awarded the Druzhba Medal, the Druzhba Order of the 1st and 2nd degrees of the DPRK, several medals, the Silver Medal of the Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy of the USSR (as a representative of the author's collective "History of Korea"), the Badge of Honor of the Soviet-Korean Friendship Society.

page 199
Yu. V. Vanin is a leading expert on the history and current situation of Korea, the author of numerous in-depth studies on the historical past and the most pressing problems of the Korean peninsula. The range of his research interests is very wide: socio-economic and military-political problems of feudal Korea, issues of the history of Korea from different periods, among which, from the beginning of the 1980s, problems of modern history began to acquire special importance: the history of the liberation of Korea from the Japanese colonial yoke in 1945, the division of Korea, the Korean War of 1950-1953., the current situation on the Korean peninsula, North-South relations and the struggle for peaceful unification of Korea, the internal political situation of the DPRK, the Korean policy of the USSR and the Russian Federation. In recent years, the focus has been on the history and current state of Korean studies in the USSR and Russia, as well as the history of Russian Koreans.

Yu. V. Vanin has published over 100 works on the history and contemporary problems of Korea, some of them published in the DPRK and ROK. He is the author of three major monographs that study the problems of the medieval history of Korea. Of undoubted scientific interest are his works devoted to topical issues of the modern development of Korea: the problems of the dismemberment of the country and the formation of two independent states on its territory, the causes of the Korean War, and the unification of Korea. A special place among them is occupied by the monograph "The Korean War (1950 - 1953) and the UN"published in 2006. It presents not only a new reading of the most important stage in the recent history of Korea, based on the analysis of a wide range of primary sources, but also current forecasts of the development of the conflict situation on the Korean peninsula and recommendations to modern politicians aimed at finding a solution to it.

In the last 15 years, Yu. V. Vanin has concentrated his efforts on implementing fundamental projects - publishing a series of Korean studies works. He became the initiator, inspirer and organizer of the series "Russian Korean Studies in the past and present", which became the pride not only of the department, but also of the entire Institute of Oriental Studies. Scientists of not many regional areas of Oriental studies can boast of such grandiose achievements.

On his initiative and with his active participation, the first seven books from the above-mentioned series were published: "Korean studies in Russia: History and Modernity", "Life and work dedicated to Korea: Russian Korean Studies of the 2nd half of the XX century", "Modern Russian Korean Studies: a reference publication", " Colonial Korea. From publications in the USSR of the 1920s-1930s". He also devoted a lot of effort to the preparation of the fifth and seventh books of this series - "Korea through the eyes of Russians (1895-1945)" and "First News about Korea in Russia (1675-1884)".

Yu. V. Vanin together with B. D. Pak initiated the creation of another bright series - "Russian Koreans". In 2000, they came to an agreement with the President of the All-Russian Association of Koreans (OOK), V. I. Tso, to provide financial support to the OOK for the series and to prepare the manuscripts for printing by the staff of the Department of Korea and Mongolia of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The series has been published annually since 2001. To date, "Kim Mangem", "Lee Bomjin", "Koreans in the USSR", " 140 years in Russia. Essay on the History of Russian Koreans", "Han Li", "Kim Pyong Hwa", "Alexandra Petrovna Kim-Stankevich", "The Struggle of Russian Koreans for Korean Independence", "Choi Jaehyun". Yu.V. Vanin was the executive editor of all these publications, as well as the compiler of some of them.

Yu. V. Vanin is a responsible editor and member of the editorial boards (Council) of 30 monographs and collections. Almost all the works written by employees of the Korean sector pass through his hands. Thus, he edited the works of B. D. Pak for the period 2001-2010. He is characterized by exceptional responsibility, profound knowledge, a great sense of style, and the ability to give an accurate and objective assessment of historical phenomena. And the recommendations and advice they give to authors provide invaluable help in working on the manuscript.

Yu. V. Vanin pays great attention to the study of Russian-Korean relations, becoming one of the initiators of the creation of a series of memoir works devoted to various aspects of the modern development of North Korea. He is the author, executive editor and member of the editorial boards of numerous collective and individual monographs, works on Korea, including the fundamental two-volume work "History of Korea".

Yu. V. Vanin is a world-renowned scientist, whose works have been widely recognized in our country and abroad. Colleagues, opponents, and readers are impressed by his encyclopedic erudition and thorough knowledge of the problems of various stages of Korean history in all their details. He is a constant participant of All-Russian and international conferences, symposia on the following issues:

page 200
modern development of Korean studies and actual problems of the Korean peninsula. He was elected an Honorary Doctor of Science at the Institute of International Studies of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.

Having an outstanding gift of a scientific organizer, he successfully headed the team of the Department of Korea and Mongolia for 20 years. Many scientific conferences, such as those dedicated to the June 1926 demonstration in Korea, the 50th anniversary of the Korean War of 1950-1953, and others were conceived and implemented under his leadership. However, even after leaving the post of head of the Department of Korea and Mongolia due to existing age restrictions, Yu. V. Vanin actively participates in the multifaceted activities of the department's staff.

It is difficult to overestimate the activities of Yu. V. Vanin in training young specialists in Korean studies, including teaching at the Eastern University, constant scientific guidance of Russian and foreign graduate students. Four post-graduate students (one from the Republic of Kazakhstan) successfully defended their PhD theses. Like no one else, Yu. V. Vanin does not spare any personal time or effort to communicate with novice scientists, generously sharing with them his broad knowledge and experience. Yuri Vasilyevich takes part in the fate of many of his students and colleagues, helping them choose their scientific path.

In the team, Yu. V. Vanin enjoys great authority not only as a scientific adviser, but also as a friendly, attentive and sympathetic person. Yuri Vasilyevich always treats his colleagues with exceptional warmth, openness and consideration, takes their joys and sorrows to heart. Employees consider him a close friend, colleague, and mentor.

Let's note one more important circumstance. The hero of the day is actively involved in the study of the history of Russian Koreans, shows great interest in the life of the Korean diaspora in Russia, takes part in various socio-political events. For many years, he is the editor of the Korean magazine Unity, the Korean diaspora organ Bomminren, and publishes articles in the newspaper of Russian Koreans-Russian Koreans. It is no coincidence that the Korean diaspora in Moscow calls Yu. V. Vanin a "Russian Korean". He even learned to cook Korean dishes himself.

His stories about his trips to the DPRK and ROK, his articles about the heroic struggle of the Korean people for freedom and independence of the motherland are always closely perceived by Koreans and contribute to strengthening friendship and cooperation between the Russian and Korean peoples.

Celebrating the anniversary of Yuri Vasilyevich Vanin, the staff of the Department of Korea and Mongolia and the entire Institute, the Directorate of the Institute of Information Technology of the Russian Academy of Sciences cordially congratulate and wish him good health, prosperity and further creative success.

MAIN SCIENTIFIC WORKS OF YU. V. VANIN

Feudal Korea in the XIII-XIV centuries. Institute of Peoples of Asia, Moscow: Nauka Publ., 1962, 198 p.

Korea in the X-XV centuries / / Chrestomatiya po istorii srednev vek [Anthology on the history of the Middle Ages], vol. II. X-XV veka, Moscow: Sotsial'no-ekon. lit., 1963, pp. 100-106, 113-117.

Ancient and medieval history // Interpretation of some problems of Korean history in the historiography of the DPRK. Special Bulletin of the Institute of Peoples of Asia of the USSR Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 1963, No. 43, pp. 51-81.

Sources on the history of late feudalism in Korea / / Short reports of the Institute of Asian Peoples. 85. History and historiography of the Far East countries. 1964. pp. 30-42.

Drevnost ' i sredniye veka [Ancient and Middle Ages], pp. 7-44. Conclusion. 159 - 171 // Korean-Chinese relations from ancient times to the present day.

Special Bulletin of the Institute of Peoples of Asia of the USSR Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 1965, N58.

Ekonomicheskoe razvitie Korei v XVII-XVIII vvakh [Economic development of Korea in the XVII-XVIII centuries]. Institute of Peoples of Asia, Moscow: Nauka Publ., 1968, 265 p.

Ancient and medieval history. pp. 56-81; New History. 81 - 104 // Modern Korea. Reference edition, Moscow: GRVL Publ., 1971.

History of Korea (from ancient times to the present day), Vol. I. M., 1974. - Auth. ch.: The state of Goryeo in the X-XII centuries. pp. 105-133; The struggle of the Korean people against the Mongol conquerors. The fall of the Goryeo dynasty. pp. 134-160; New trends in the socio-economic development of Korea (the second half of the XVII-XVIII centuries). pp. 257-283; The growth of social contradictions and ideological struggle in the XVII-XVIII centuries. pp. 284-299; The National Liberation Movement in 1904-1910. Annexation of Korea. pp. 382-418.

page 201
On the decomposition of feudalism in Korea // Historiography of the countries of the East (problems of feudalism). MSU, 1977. pp. 120-139.

The defeat of Japan in World War II is the main condition for the liberation of Korea and the democratic development of the northern part of the country // The victory of the USSR in the war with militaristic Japan and the post-war development of East and South-East Asia (to the 30th anniversary of the victory of the USSR in the war with militaristic Japan). Moscow: GRVL, 1977.pp. 190-198.

The agrarian system of feudal Korea. XV-XVI centuries / USSR Academy OF Sciences. Institute of Oriental Studies, Moscow: Nauka Publ., 1981, 310 p.

China's policy towards Korea / / China and its neighbors in the new and modern times, Moscow: GRVL, 1982, pp. 368-395.

Soviet and world community in the struggle for peace, the end of imperialist aggression in Korea / / For Peace on the land of Korea. Memoirs and Articles, Moscow: GRVL, 1985, pp. 138-174.

Rabstvo v stranakh Vostoka v sredniye veka [Slavery in the countries of the East in the Middle Ages], Moscow: GRVL, 1986, pp. 255-287.

USSR and Korea, Moscow, 1988. - Author's ch.: Strengthening the solidarity of the Soviet and Korean peoples (20s). pp. 51-84; The Soviet Union and the Korean People's struggle for Freedom and Independence (30s-40s). pp. 85-118; Democratic Construction in the Soviet Union. North Korea. pp. 145-164 (together with G. K. Plotnikov); Education of the DPRK. Soviet-Korean relations in 1948-1950. p. 180-202; International assistance of the USSR and other socialist countries of the DPRK in repelling imperialist aggression (1950-1953). p. 203-233 (together with G. K. Plotnikov); Conclusion.p. 381-384.

Principal Stages of Korean Studies in the Soviet Union // The Journal of Asiatic Studies. Vol. XXXIV. (Seoul) 1991, No. 1.

Sovetskaya istoriografiya o politicheskikh problemakh Severnoi Korei [Soviet Historiography on the political problems of North Korea]. Busan: Busan University Press, 1994, pp. 61-93 (in Russian).

Materials of the Archive of Foreign Policy of Russia on Korea after liberation // Check out Pipchen N 24. - Munjae yenguso (Research Institute of Historical Problems). Seoul, 1994. pp. 351-367.

Korea in the XIV-XV centuries. / / History of the East. Vostok v sredniye veka [East in the Middle Ages]. Russian Academy of Sciences, 1995, pp. 546-559.

The end of World War II and Korea // Problems of the Far East. 1995. N 6. pp. 61-71.

Korea: dismemberment, war, Unification. Moscow, 1995. - Auth. ch.: Korean question in the post-war period. pp. 232-257; Unification of Korea - historical inevitability and the will of the Korean people. pp. 257-289.

Modern Korean Studies in Russia (1945-1995) // Studying the history of the movement for the Unification of Korea, vol. 9. Cheonan (ROK): State Museum of Independence, Research Institute of the History of the Movement for the Independence of Korea, 1995. pp. 325-341 (in cor. yaz.).

Korea in Foreign Policy of Russia. End of the XlXth century // The Journal of Unification Studies. Vol. XVIII. Taequ. 1995. C. 115 - 126.

North Korea: Hard March // The Korean Journal of National Unification. Vol. 5. Seoul. 1996. C. 43 - 64.

Some aspects of modern research on the history of Korea (1945-1955) / / Problems of the Far East. 1996. N 5. pp. 115-123.

The problem of Korean unification: current state and prospects of settlement // Experience of divided states and relations between the two shores of the Taiwan Strait, Moscow, 1997, pp. 109-117.

Lectures on the history of Korea. Moscow, 1997. - Author's section: Goryeo State (X-XIV centuries). pp. 22-33; History of Korea of the XV-XVII centuries. pp. 34-50; History of Korea of the XVII-XIX centuries. pp. 51-63.

Russia-North Korea: Post-Perstroika Relations // The Journal of Unification Studies. Vol. XIX. Taequ. 1997. C. 43 - 53.

Politicheskie, ekonomicheskie i kul'turnye aspekty edineniya Korei [Political, Economic and cultural aspects of the Unification of Korea]. Ch. I.M.: IDV RAS, 1997. pp. 38-52.

North Korea on the "forced march" / / Problems of the Far East. 1998. N 5. pp. 20-31.

Leading historian-Koreologist of Russia / / Korea. Collection of articles dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the birth of Professor M. N. Pak. Moscow: MSU, 1998. pp. 23-33.

Changes in the constitutional order of the DPRK / / Problems of the Far East. 1999, N 2. pp. 43-52.

Russian Korean studies in the past and present / / Problems of the Far East. 1999. N3. pp. 5-19.

Memoirs of Kim Il Sung as a source on the recent history of Korea / / Problems of the Far East. 1999. N 5. pp. 81-92.

Studying Korea in Russia: History and Modernity. Seoul, 1999. - Auth. ch.: Vozrozhdenie i razvitie sovremennogo rossiiskogo koreevedeniya. p. 119-156; Izuchenie istorii Korei. p. 157-216; Izuchenie politicheskikh problemy Severnoy Korey. p. 217-240 (in cor. yaz.).

Istoriya Vostoka [History of the East]. East at the turn of the Middle Ages and modern times. XVI-

page 202
XVIII vv. Moscow: Vostochny lit. Russian Academy of Sciences, 1999. - Auth. ch.: The Korean state of Joseon in the XVI-XVII centuries. pp. 315-337; Korea in the XVIII century. pp. 609-638.

Current state and trends in studying the Korean War in Russia / / New Asia. Vol. 7. Seoul, 2000. N 2. P. 73-85 (in cor. yaz.).

Liberation of Korea: A View from Russia / / Hyundai Pukhan Yeongu. The tag. Vol. 3. 2000, n 2. pp. 261-298 (in cor. yaz.).

A harsh history lesson. Vzglyad iz Rossii na Koreiskuyu voynyu [A look from Russia at the Korean War]. Seoul, 2001. N 40. pp. 260-277 (in cor. yaz.).

Some questions of prehistory and the beginning of the Korean War / / War in Korea 1950-1953. A view through 50 years, Moscow, 2001, pp. 12-31.

Sino-Korean border: history and modernity / / Borders of China: history of formation, Moscow, 2001, pp. 225-259.

International aspect of the Korean War: some topical issues / / Korean Peninsula: myths, expectations and reality. Moscow, 2001. pp. 65-102.

Korea of the times of Lee Bomjin and Lee Wijon (a brief sketch) / / Lee Bomjin, Moscow: IV RAS, 2002, pp. 10-29.

Korea on the difficult path to reunification / / Korea at the turn of the century. Moscow, 2002. pp. 315-398.

June demonstration of 1926 and its place in the Korean national liberation movement / / June demonstration of 1926 in Korea. Art. and materials. Moscow: Pervoe Marta. 2003. pp. 10-28.

Russian historiography of the Korean War / / China in the Dialogue of Civilizations. K 70-letiyu akad. M. L. Titarenko, Moscow: Pamyatniki istoricheskoi mysli, 2004, pp. 493-511.

Life and work dedicated to Korea. Russian Korean Studies of the 2nd half of the XX century. Moscow, 2004. - Author: Preface. pp. 12-15; G. V. Gryaznoye. pp. 21-32; V. M. Mazurov. pp. 89-104; V. P. Pak. pp. 129-136; V. K. Pak (Pak Kil Yong). P. 137-147; B. V. Sinitsyn, p. 158-173; F. I. Shabshina, p. 236-259; V. I. Shipaev, p. 260-275. (Ser. "Russian Korean Studies in the past and present", Vol. I).

Koreevedenie v Rossii: istoriya i sovremennost ' [Korean Studies in Russia: History and Modernity], Moscow, 2004, Auth.: Preface, pp. 11-16; Vozrozhdenie i razvitie sovremennogo rossiiskogo koreevedeniya, pp. 119-154; Izuchenie istorii Korei, pp. 155-212; Izuchenie politicheskikh problemakh Severnoi Korei, pp. 213-236; Vzglyad, pp. 377 - 381. (Ser. "Russian Korean Studies in the past and present", Vol. II).

Russian Korean Studies. Almanac. Issue 4. Moscow, 2004. - Author: Cooperation for the future or settling accounts for the past? (South Korean campaign for amendments to Russian school history textbooks). pp. 40-50; On Lee Gi-baek's book "The History of Korea: a new interpretation". pp. 311-322.

Koreiskaya voina (1950 - 1953) i UNA [The Korean War (1950-1953) and the UN]. Moscow: IV RAS, 2006, 287 p.

Author of the preface (pp. 9-13) comp. Korea through the eyes of Russians (1895-1945). Ser. Russian Korean Studies in the past and present, vol. V. Moscow: IVRAN, 2008, 368 p.

Editor's note. and the author of the preface with. 8 - 13 // Alexandra Petrovna Kim-Stankevich. Essays, documents, and materials. Ser. "Russian Koreans", Moscow, 2008, 240 p.

Izuchenie istorii Korei v SSSR i Rossii [Studying the history of Korea in the USSR and Russia]. To the 90th anniversary of Professor M. N. Pak. Collection of articles. Moscow-Seoul Publ., 2008, pp. 48-77.

Some questions of prehistory and the beginning of the Korean War / / War of June 25 and the Vietnam War. Latest research on the military history of East Asia. Seoul, 2008. pp. 361-392 (cor. yaz.).

The Hague Peace Conference of 1907 and Korea // East (Oriens). 2008. N 6. pp. 45-56.

Preface p. 4-14; comp. Pervye izvestiya o Korey v Rossii (1675-1884) [First News about Korea in Russia (1675-1884)]. "Russian Korean Studies in the past and present", vol. 7, Moscow, 2009.

Permanent link to this publication: