On February 25, 2025, the Institute of Russian Studies (Director: Prof. Sang-Yong Pyo, Department of Russian Studies) held a domestic academic conference under the theme 'Identity Politics in Russia and the Russkiy Mir.' This event formed part of the third-year activities of the second stage of the HK+ Research Project agenda 'Reinterpreting the Russian Humanistic Space: Russia in the World, the World in Russia.'

 HK Research Professor Sun-Rae Kim opened Session I with a presentation on 'Russia’s Post-Soviet Near-Abroad Policy and the Geopolitical Perceptions of the Three Caucasus States,' analyzing the strategies of these countries in response to Russia’s assertive policies and suggesting ways to resolve regional security instability. 

 Research Professor Hyun-Jin Kim followed with 'Digital Authoritarianism and the Russkiy Mir: A Comparison of Digital Censorship Policies in Kazakhstan and Belarus,' showing how Russia’s model of digital authoritarianism is being extended to post-Soviet states.

HK Research Professor Mi-Ra Jeon presented 'Voices of the Enemy: Narrative Strategies in Russia’s Foreign Media Policy through the InoSMI Website,' arguing that InoSMI functions less as a transforming media outlet and more as a producer of narrative discourses for readers sympathetic to a Russian worldview.

Session II featured HK Research Professor Seung-Do Ra on 'The Cultural Politics of Commemoration: Pushkin Worship and the Ideology of the Russkiy Mir in the Putin Era.' Reviewing 25 years of Pushkin commemorations, he highlighted the significance of the 225th anniversary celebrations in 2024, held both domestically and abroad under the banner of 'Russian Language Day.' Finally, HK Research Professor Hye-Jin Kim presented on 'The Formation and Development of the Koryoin Coesearch  Community in Pyeongtaek Poseung-eup,' analyzing the background and characteristics of this relatively new ethnic Korean community in Korea, which has grown since the dissolution of the Soviet Union.