The Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies and Peking University have partnered for several years, making every endeavor to promote Asia-Pacific studies, which focus on the humanities and social sciences in the Asia-Pacific region. When Dr. Kim Jae-youl, Secretary General of the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies, visited Peking University on March 8, 2002, he signed an agreement with Professor Xu Zhihong, President of Peking University, to support and sponsor Asia-Pacific studies at Peking University. The Asia-Pacific Research Institute of Peking University was established based on this agreement. On September 5, 2002, Secretary General Kim Jae-youl and Min Weifang, Chairman of the Peking University Council, participated in the founding ceremony of the Asia-Pacific Research Institute of Peking University and unveiled a plaque at the Institute. The establishment of the Asia-Pacific Research Institute of Peking University serves to enhance studies of the Asia-Pacific region at the university.

Since the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Research Institute of Peking University, cooperation between the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies and Peking University has grown even closer. Academic exchange and studies in the related areas have entered a new stage.

To further promote the study of the humanities and social sciences in the Asia-Pacific region, Secretary General Kim Jae-youl visited Peking University in October 2002 and initiated a plan to organize a "Beijing Forum." After many discussions, both sides reached an agreement on holding the first Beijing Forum in 2004. On September 24, 2003, the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies and Peking University signed the "Agreement for Holding the 'Beijing Forum' by Peking University and the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies," a "Memorandum of Understanding regarding the holding of Beijing Forum (2004)" and its first Academic Conference.

The combined collaborative efforts of both parties resulted in the first Beijing Forum, which was held from August 23 to 25, 2004. The principle theme of this conference was "The Harmony of Civilizations and Prosperity for All."