The purpose of this study was to verify the knowledge structure of domestic character research by applying the keyword network analysis method based on SNA. For this purpose, a total of 7,385 keywords were used in 1,581 research papers on character studies from 1998 to 2017. For the analysis, R language and UCINet program were used to perform the keyword network structure analysis and the keyword network centrality analysis. As a result of the analysis, the main topics were presented in order of competence, virtue, character education promotion law, practice-based, community, citizenship, morality, care, integration, school violence, and etc. In terms of historical trends, the studies of character have been conducted in a variety of ways in various academic fields. In addition, research was shifting toward integration, practice, competence, and learner-based that strengthened emotions, social skills, and morality. Especially, Main topics in the academic field included competence, virtue, autonomy, creativity and teaching character, and the field of children education produced the most research topics Based on these results, knowledge structure of character studies, research trends, new Knowledge that is noteworthy, and program development were discussed.