This paper is preface to feature articles titled “A Basic Research on the Review of Overseas Scholarly Achievements in Korean Studies –Focusing on American Academia.” This research aims to examine the current situation of scholarly achievements, focusing on monographs, journal articles, and doctoral dissertations, in Korean studies in the humanities published or presented in North America from 2007 to 2012. This study came to a conclusion as follows. Monographs published during recent years were primarily on Korean religion and history, but lacking those on Korean literature and Confucianism; by period, research on the colonial period was prominent while research on premodern Korea was few; however, it is noteworthy that interdisciplinary research is increasing beyond the border of individual discipline. Journal articles represented the diversification of themes and the increase of research on North Korea, Korean culture, and transnational topics, but lacking research on premodern Korea. The number of dissertations presented was proportionate to that of full-time faculty members in Korean studies, and Ph.D. holders are being produced only in a small number of research-oriented universities such as UCLA and Harvard University. Research areas tend to be diversified, but the majority of dissertations are dealing with the modern period, instead, those in premodern Korean studies are very few. This research hopes to contribute as a groundwork for continuing research on overseas Korean studies, as a stepping stone for substantial scholarly exchanges between Korean scholars and overseas counterparts, and as a reference to teaching Korean studies. In addition, this research also suggests paying more attention to the premodern period for taking a firmer scholarly root in Korean studies in the West.