Office Details
Associate Professor
Education
Ph.D., University of Georgia
M.A., University of Georgia
M.A., HanKuk University of Foreign Studies
B.A., Seoul Women's University
U.S. Foreign Relations, Modern East Asian History, Korean History
Legal History, U.S. History, Modern East Asian History, World History
Book Chapters
Yi, B., & Kim, J. (2023). The Comfort Women Redress Movement in the United States: The Korean Diaspora Through the Activities of the Washington Coalition for Comfort Women Issues and Immigrants’ Dual Identity. Springer Nature Singapore. 51-76.
Book Reviews
Yi, B. (2023). “Thirty Years of the Comfort Women Redress Movement". The Journal of International Women’s Studies. (October 2023 ),
Yi, B. Women's History Month Brunch, "Minority women's contribution to social justice movement in Maryland," Women of Color Student Association, Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and Nonprofit Management and Social Entrepreneurship student organizations,, University of Baltimore. (2024).
Yi, B. The World Congress for Korean Politics and Society, "Global Health and Security Cooperation with North Korea in the Post-Covid-19 Era," The Korean Political Science Association, Seoul, South Korea. (2023).
Yi, B. RED Talks Research Engagement Day, ""Is there a Koreatown in Baltimore"?," University of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD. (2022).
Yi, B. Workshop for Korean School Teachers in the United States, ""Resilient Han’gŭl: The History of the Korean Alphabet"," National Association for Korean Schools, Virtual meeting. (2021).
Baltimore Sun: UBalt Graduate (Derek Chauvis) Speaks Out, "The History Program Changed My Life," May 10, 2021, mentioned3 Uablt historians in the letter. (2021).
"Carter’s Failure?: President Jimmy Carter’s Effort to Withdraw U.S. Troops from South Korea, 1976-1979" (Planning)
This research critically examines President Carter’s failed attempt to remove U.S. ground troops from South Korea and analyzes why his attempt was extremely difficult and impossible. More specifically, this study analyzes domestic and international factors that affected the final decision to keep 40,000-stong U.S. forces in South Korea. By doing so, it hopes to draw a lesson from the current administration's effort to slash defense spending to balance the budget. Scholars who have examined this topic blamed Carter and his personality for the failed policy. This study, however, attempts to challenge this prevailing view by pointing out the domestic and international context of this critical decision.
I have already conducted preliminary online research through the Digital National Security Archive and the National Archives to complete this paper. I;ve conducted preliminary on-sight research at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta, Georgia. I plan to present my research findings at the annual conference of the Society of Historians for American Foreign Relations and submit my paper to its journal, Diplomatic History, a premier outlet for diplomatic history research.
"Difficult Beginning: The American Soldiers and Korean Hosts, 1945-1967" (On-Going)
This is my current research for a book which focuses on the ways in which personal interactions between American service members in Korea and the Korean people affect U.S.-Korean relations. Analyzing these relationships over the past fifty years would provide a critical insight into U.S. diplomacy as well as American role in shaping modern Asia and world history. I also look at the overseas American military bases, not merely as a symbol of American military power, but as a place that introduces American culture to a local community. T
"History of Greek Immigration to Maryland: Insight form Oral History" (Planning)
Based on the new initiative launched with the Hellenic Heritage Museum of Maryland, this research examines the history of Greek immigration to Maryland.
"History of Korean Heritage Language Schools in the United States" (Planning)
Under review for funding from the Overseas Korean Foundation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea
"Is there a Koreatown in Baltimore?" (Writing Results)
Based on the proposal presented at Ubalt's Redtalk in the spring of 2022 and the research with an honors student in the summer of 2022, I am writing the draft of the paper examining the development of Baltimore's Koreatown. This study is the first study of the history of Baltimore's Koreatown, focusing on the first two decades after the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.
As it examines the development of Baltimore's Koreatown, the study contributes to debunking the myth of Baltimore's 1968 riot that had been blamed for all the ills of the city. The vibrant development of Koreatown in the city after the riot directly counters the myth. By constructing its history, this study also places Asian immigration closely to the narrative of 19th-century European immigrants, not that of a particular "model minority."
The study of Baltimore's Koreatown is a piece of the history of Baltimore, US immigration, and how global migration left a mark on American soil. It hopes to contribute to the ongoing research about Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and the centrality of global migration in understanding the complexity of the 21st-century world.
"Korean Voices on Asymmetrical ROK-US Relationship" (Planning)
"North Korea at Crossroad: Trump 2.0 and North Korea’ Choices" (Planning)
"The Unending Works of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of the Republic of Korea: The Politics of the Korean War in the 21st Century Korea" (Writing Results)