Bylaws of the International Association of Comparative Korean Studies

Article 1 (Name)

The association shall be called The International Association of Comparative Korean Studies (IACKS).

Article 2 (Seat)

The headquarters of the association shall be located in the country of the executive board in charge of its administration.

Article 3 (Purpose)

The association aims to contribute to the globalization of Korean studies through interdisciplinary collaboration, and to strengthen the distinctiveness of Korean studies from a comparative perspective.

Article 4 (Activities)

To achieve this purpose, the association shall:

1. publish the journal Comparative Korean Studies and a newsletter;

2. hold one domestic or international conference per year (held abroad in alternate years);

3. publish scholarly books in Korean studies and adjacent fields;

4. award and honor individuals who have contributed to Korean studies;

5. undertake other related activities.

Article 5 (Members)

Membership is open to those who specialize in Korean studies or comparative Korean studies anywhere in the world and endorse the aims of the association, subject to approval by the board of directors.

Article 6 (Honorary members)

The association may have honorary members, elected by resolution of the board from among those who have contributed to its development.

Article 7 (Advisors)

The association may have advisors, elected by resolution of the board from among those who have rendered distinguished service to Korean studies.

Article 8 (Rights and duties)

1. Members hold rights and duties concerning the operation of the association.

2. Members shall pay membership dues. A member who fails to pay dues for a certain period or damages the honor of the association may be expelled by resolution of the board.

Article 9 (Officers)

The association shall have the following officers:

1. one President; 2. two or more Vice Presidents; 3. several executive directors (general affairs, editorial, research, finance, external relations, publications); 4. two Auditors.

Article 10 (Election of officers)

1. The President is elected by the general assembly for a two-year term; directors are nominated in consultation by the presidency.

2. Directors and auditors serve two-year terms.

Article 11 (President)

The President represents the association and oversees all its activities.

Article 12 (Vice Presidents)

Vice Presidents assist the President and act on the President's behalf when necessary. Together with the Secretary General, they take particular charge of conferences held abroad.

Article 13 (Duties of directors)

1. The general affairs director manages documents and correspondence.

2. The editorial director manages the publication of the journal.

3. The research director oversees the scholarly development of the association.

4. The finance director manages accounting and financial affairs.

5. The external relations director manages the association's external affairs.

6. The publications director manages journal distribution and library partnerships.

Article 14 (Auditors)

Auditors are elected by the general assembly; they audit the affairs and accounts of the association and report to the assembly.

Article 15 (Committees)

The association maintains an editorial board for the publication of the journal, composed of the editorial director and about fifteen editorial board members — domestic and international scholars representing the various fields of Korean studies — recommended by the board of directors and appointed by the President for two-year terms. Matters concerning journal publication are set out in separate regulations.

Article 16 (Bodies)

The meetings of the association consist of the general assembly and the board of directors.

Article 17 (General assembly)

1. The regular general assembly is held biennially in Korea (one year before the expiry of the President's term) and elects the next President and Auditors in advance.

2. An extraordinary assembly may be convened by the President when necessary, and must be convened within two weeks upon request of the board or of one third of the members.

3. The assembly decides by majority of members present; the President casts the deciding vote in case of a tie.

Article 18 (Powers of the assembly)

The assembly resolves on: 1. election of officers; 2. amendment of the bylaws; 3. approval of budgets and accounts; 4. programs of activities; 5. matters referred by the board.

Article 19 (Board of directors)

1. The board consists of the directors under Article 9 and is convened by the President when necessary, or upon request of one third of the incumbent directors. The President and Vice Presidents are ex officio directors.

2. The board decides by majority of directors present; the President casts the deciding vote in case of a tie.

Article 20 (Powers of the board)

The board deliberates and resolves on: 1. budgets and accounts; 2. programs of activities and their execution; 3. matters delegated by the assembly; 4. other matters.

Article 21 (Revenue)

1. The association is funded by: (1) membership dues; (2) donations and sponsorships; (3) other revenue.

2. Dues are set by the general assembly.

3. Revenue and property are owned and managed independently in the name of the association and are not distributed to its members.

Article 22 (Fiscal year)

The fiscal year runs from September 1 to August 31 of the following year.