Korean Association of Women’s Studies was founded in October 1984 to establish a shared intellectual foundation for the academic development and systematization of women’s studies in Korean society.

The association primarily focuses on academic research within universities, especially in the field of women’s studies. The first academic congress was held in 1985, where discussions centered on women’s roles in religion and the characteristics of women’s studies as reflected in language. Over the past 20 years, the association has hosted 20 academic conferences to continually explore and deepen understanding of women’s issues in Korea, particularly in the context of education. It has also published academic journals, held regular monthly presentations, and organized international academic congresses on an irregular basis.

Ms. Hye-jeong Yun of Ewha Womans University served as the first chairperson and played a key role in launching the association. Since December 2009, Professor Jae-kyung Lee from the Department of Women’s Studies at Ewha Womans University has served as the 26th chairperson. Professor Young-ran Kim from the Graduate School of Public Policy at Sookmyung Women’s University has been serving as the vice chair.

The association had 124 members in 1985, and as of 2009, it has grown to include approximately 800 individual members and 93 affiliated organizations. As of 2025, the academic society has achieved both qualitative and quantitative growth, with over 1,000 registered individual members and 26 affiliated organizations.