Constitution of the Korean Association of English for Specific Purposes (ESP Korea)

Chapter I: General Provisions

 Article 1 (Name)

The official name of this Association shall be the Korean Association of English for Specific Purposes. Its English name shall be The Korean Association of English for Specific Purposes (abbreviated as ESP Korea).

 Article 2 (Purpose)

The purpose of this Association is to promote research and development in the theory and practice of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and to foster fellowship among its members.

To achieve these purposes, the Association shall engage in the following activities:

a. Publication of the academic journal ESP Review and the Association newsletter.

b. Organization of academic conferences and scholarly exchanges.

c. Publication of books and materials related to ESP education.

d. Other activities deemed necessary to achieve the purposes of the Association.

 Article 3 (Office)

The principal office of the Association shall be located at a place designated by the President.

Chapter II: Membership

​ Article 4 (Admission and Categories of Membership)

Individuals, institutions, or organizations engaged in or interested in ESP education or English language education may become members upon submission of the prescribed application form, payment of the entrance fee and current year’s membership fee, and approval by the Executive Committee. For-profit institutions or organizations engaged in English language education shall be admitted pursuant to a separate agreement.

Membership categories:

a. Individual Members: Persons engaged in or interested in ESP research, ESP education, or English language education.

b. Institutional Members: Libraries or non-profit institutions/organizations engaged in ESP research, ESP education, or English language education.

c. Corporate Members: For-profit institutions/organizations engaged in ESP research, ESP education, or English language education.

 Article 5 (Rights and Duties)

Members shall have the right to attend and vote at the General Assembly, to participate in academic conferences, to submit manuscripts to the Association’s publications, and to receive the Association’s publications.

Members shall pay the prescribed annual membership fee.

 Article 6 (Loss of Membership)

A member shall lose membership status upon resolution of the Executive Committee in the following cases:

Submission of a written resignation.

Non-payment of membership fees for three (3) consecutive years without due cause or notice.

Conduct contrary to the purposes of the Association or injurious to its honor and reputation.

Chapter III: Governance

 Article 7 (Composition of the Executive Committee)

The Executive Committee shall consist of:

One (1) President

Up to fifteen (15) Vice Presidents

Up to eighty (80) Executive Directors

Two (2) Auditors

Several Advisors

 Article 8 (Appointment and Election)

The President and Auditors shall be elected by the Executive Committee and approved by the General Assembly.

Vice Presidents and Executive Directors shall be appointed by the President.

Advisors shall be appointed by the President from among former Presidents and distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to the Association.

Matters concerning the composition, duties, and operation of the Functional Advisory Board shall be separately prescribed.

 Article 9 (Duties of the President)

The President shall represent the Association, oversee all its affairs, and serve as Chair of the Executive Committee and the General Assembly.

 Article 10 (Duties of Vice Presidents)

Each Vice President shall assist the President in specific areas—planning and ethics, operations, academic affairs, editing, publicity, information, external cooperation, publishing, research, and international affairs—and act on behalf of the President when necessary.

 Article 11 (Duties of Executive Directors)

Executive Directors shall manage affairs in areas such as general administration, finance, planning and ethics, operations, academic affairs, editing, publicity, information, external cooperation, publishing, research and development, and international cooperation. Additional positions may be created as necessary.

 Article 12 (Duties of Auditors)

Auditors shall examine the financial accounts of the Association annually and report the results to the General Assembly.

 Article 13 (Duties of Advisors)

Advisors shall provide counsel to the President and attend meetings of the Executive Committee.

 Article 14 (Term of Office)

The term of office for all members of the Executive Committee shall be two (2) years. Executive Directors may serve consecutive terms to ensure continuity of Association activities.

Chapter IV: Meetings

 Article 15 (General Assembly)

The General Assembly shall consist of regular and extraordinary sessions convened by the President.

The regular session shall be held during the Association’s academic conference.

An extraordinary session may be convened when deemed necessary by the President, upon resolution of the Executive Committee, or upon request by at least one-third of the Individual Members.

 Article 16 (Executive Committee)

The Executive Committee shall be composed as specified in Article 7 and convened by the President as necessary.

It shall review and approve major operational matters and elect officers as specified in Article 8(1).

 Article 17 (Standing Executive Board)

The Standing Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice Presidents, and Executive Directors and shall be convened by the President as necessary.

It shall deliberate and decide on matters concerning the operation of the Association, and its significant resolutions shall be approved by the Executive Committee and reported to the General Assembly.

 Article 18 (Subcommittees)

Subcommittees may be established to facilitate operations, with composition and activities determined by the Standing Executive Board.

 Article 19 (Resolutions)

A quorum shall be formed by those present, and decisions shall require a majority vote of those present.

Chapter V: Editorial Board

​ Article 20 (Composition)

The Association shall operate an Editorial Board as a separate entity.

 Article 21 (Duties)

The Editorial Board shall review manuscripts submitted to the Association’s journal and decide on their acceptance.

 Article 22 (Chair)

The Vice President for Editing shall serve concurrently as Chair of the Editorial Board.

 Article 23 (Detailed Regulations)

The composition, duties, and operation of the Editorial Board shall be separately prescribed.

Chapter VI: Academic Conferences and Research Activities

 Article 24 (Academic Conferences)

The Association shall hold at least one academic conference annually, with details determined by the Standing Executive Board.

 Article 25 (Research Activities)

The Association may organize workshops, seminars, and other research activities, with schedules determined by the Standing Executive Board.

Chapter VII: Finance

 Article 26 (Revenue Sources)

The finances of the Association shall be derived from:

Endowment funds

Entrance fees and membership dues

Grants, donations, and contributions

Project and other income

 Article 27 (Fiscal Year)

The fiscal year shall run from January 1 to December 31.

 Article 28 (Budget and Accounts)

Annual financial statements shall be audited by the Auditors, approved by the Executive Committee, and confirmed by the General Assembly. Budgets shall be reviewed by the Standing Executive Board, approved by the Executive Committee, and confirmed by the General Assembly.

Chapter VIII: Functional Advisory Board

 Articles 29–31

The Functional Advisory Board shall be chaired by the Vice President for Functional Advisory Affairs, provide counsel to members, attend Executive Committee meetings, and operate as separately prescribed.

Chapter IX: Research Ethics Committee

 Articles 32–35

The Research Ethics Committee shall oversee all matters pertaining to research ethics, be chaired by the Vice President for Planning and Ethics, the Editor, or a person recommended by the Standing Executive Board, and operate as separately prescribed.

Chapter X: Amendments

 Article 36 (Amendments)

Amendments may be proposed by a majority of the Standing Executive Board or by at least one-third of the Individual Members, and shall require a majority vote at the General Assembly following review by the Executive Committee.

Supplementary Provisions

This Constitution shall take effect on October 22, 2016.

Amendments shall take effect on January 1, 2019.

Amendments shall take effect on September 16, 2023.