Korean Syntax Book by Sogang Professor Named Outstanding Academic Work

Professor Lee Jeong-hoon of the Department of Korean Language and Literature at Sogang University has achieved a significant academic recognition. His co-authored book, 'Exploration of Generative Syntax in Korean,' has been selected as an outstanding academic book for 2026 by the National Academy of Sciences of Korea.

The National Academy of Sciences has been selecting and distributing outstanding academic books since 2002 to foster research and writing in basic academic fields. The selection process involves a multi-stage review by a committee of academy members and experts, focusing on books published between March of the previous year and February of the current year.

Professor Lee's work stands out for its in-depth analysis and explanation of Korean linguistic phenomena based on the minimalism of generative grammar. This is a significant contribution to theoretical linguistics, a field not commonly explored in Korean language research. The book is noted for not merely accepting minimalist theory passively but actively proposing revisions and developments based on concrete Korean linguistic evidence.

Furthermore, 'Exploration of Generative Syntax in Korean' is a follow-up to the authors' previous work, 'Generative Syntax in Korean,' which also received recognition as an outstanding academic book in 2018. This continuity underscores the success of collaborative research that transcends academic lineage and regional boundaries, showcasing a strong and fruitful partnership among the co-authors.