[칼럼] My Story 8 - ● Becoming a Research Professor in North Korean and Chinese Studies at Peking University, China

(NewsKorea=Seoul) Digital News Team = My Story 8 - ● Becoming a Research Professor in North Korean and Chinese Studies at Peking University, China

February 1, 2005.

Studying political science and law in the United States helped me cultivate a broad perspective to view the future of nations and humanity. While no academic discipline alone can fully equip one with a perfect understanding of people and the world, these fields provided the foundation for forming a new worldview. After serving as an international negotiation expert in the era of reunification and as an education administration expert in the digital age, I realized it was time to prepare for an even broader arena. I needed to grow into a well-rounded international expert with a comprehensive worldview and a macro-level approach.

Having gained expertise in American studies—including political science, law, history, and sociology—it was imperative for me to shift my focus to East Asia. As a large and neighboring country, China naturally drew my attention. During my time at Stony Brook University, I spent a year at Yonsei University focusing on East Asian Studies, covering Korea, Japan, and China, which gave me a foundational understanding of the region.

Korea established diplomatic relations with China in 1992. Although only 30 years have passed since then, China has become a nation with immense political, economic, social, and cultural influence on Korea. Understanding China is now essential for addressing any issues in our modern era, as Korea's future is intricately tied to China's actions. Not only is China geographically vast and densely populated compared to Korea, but it has also achieved remarkable economic growth since its reform and opening-up policies, growing at an unprecedented pace.

Furthermore, China managed to narrow its economic gap with the United States significantly in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, reducing the disparity from fourfold to approximately 1.3 times. In 2023, China's GDP reached $19.7 trillion, 75% of the United States’ $26.9 trillion GDP. By 2035, it is projected that China's GDP will surpass that of the U.S. Although GDP does not reflect comprehensive national competitiveness, it underscores China's ascent as one of the two main pillars shaping the global order alongside the United States.

China's foreign policy, rooted in the principle of taoguang yanghui (hiding one’s strength and biding time), emphasizes strategic patience. The term originates from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and reflects China's discreet yet steady path toward growth and development. Despite common perceptions of China as a nation lagging behind, it is a country meticulously building its capabilities while keeping its ambitions understated.

The trade volume between Korea and China reached $300 billion last year, a staggering 47-fold increase from the $6.4 billion recorded at the time of diplomatic normalization in 1992. This underscores the profound economic interdependence between the two countries. As China continues its rapid rise by blending the strengths of socialism and capitalism, Korea must confront this reality with strategic responses.

Historically, Korea and China have interacted for thousands of years. While Korea was once under China's sphere of influence, it has since evolved into a nation capable of standing as an equal partner. China's growing prominence on the global stage will undoubtedly elevate its international stature, and Korea must be prepared to engage with this reality effectively.

Against this backdrop, I sought to solidify my position as an international expert who could bridge the United States, the Middle East, China, and North Korea. In 2005, I was invited by Peking University to serve as a research scholar at the Korean Culture Research Institute, focusing on North Korean studies. From 2006 to 2008, I continued at Peking University as a research professor at the Institute of Oriental Studies, renowned for its excellence in Asian studies, where I delved into Chinese studies.

Understanding China's dynamics is impossible without examining North Korea, just as analyzing U.S. foreign policy requires knowledge of the Middle East. By connecting insights from U.S.–Middle East relations to China–North Korea relations, I sought to contribute to solutions for the complex and unpredictable challenges facing the Korean Peninsula.

This opportunity was not mere coincidence. While my academic foundation was rooted in the United States, I lacked significant exposure to Northeast Asia. Fortunately, through my brother-in-law, former Democratic Party president Lee Ki-taek, I was introduced to Dr. Lee Yun-ki, chairman of the Overseas Korean Research Institute. Inspired by his patriotic endeavors, I became an executive director of the institute, and in 2001, I personally invested 300 million Korean won to establish the Korean Youth Congress.

Through these activities, I formed meaningful connections, including with Professor Jeong In-gap of Tsinghua University, who introduced me to Professor Lee Sun-han of Peking University, a prominent North Korea scholar. Professor Lee became a staunch supporter of my work, facilitating collaborations with leading scholars like Choi Eung-gu and Kim Kyung-il. Over time, I expanded my network to include world-renowned academics such as Wang Bangwei and Zhang Zhaoxiang, fostering a wide-ranging academic exchange with scholars from various Chinese institutions.

Beyond academia, I sought to build connections with the Chinese Communist Party's leadership, particularly through its International Liaison Department. Through these efforts, I cultivated relationships with figures like Vice Minister Liu Hongcai, who later became the Chinese ambassador to North Korea. Notably, during my tenure as the International Chair for Lee Myung-bak’s presidential campaign, Liu played a pivotal role in facilitating high-level diplomatic exchanges between Seoul and Pyongyang.

Additionally, I collaborated with Yu Minhong, the founder of New Oriental Education, one of China’s largest education and technology corporations. Mr Yu expressed interest in translating my bestselling Georo English Studies Series and my memoir "I Challenge the Possibility of One Percent" into Chinese, leading to the ongoing receipt of royalties from these publications.

Today, China has emerged as a key global power. However, it faces internal challenges across political, economic, social, and cultural spheres. As China addresses these complexities, South Korea must seize opportunities to ensure the prosperity of the Korean people. Our progress depends on unparalleled effort and innovation to match—and surpass—China’s advancements.

As a dedicated international expert, I am committed to contributing to our nation’s future by staying attuned to global transformations and preparing for the evolving world order. Every step I take across these rugged mountains is a step toward that goal.

☆ Author:  Atty Jeong-kee Kim ☆

● Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Summa Cum Laude, State University of New York at Stony Brook
-  Doctor of Jurisprudence, Marquette University Law School
- Senior Executive Program, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
- Research Scholar in North Korean Studies, Peking University

● Experience
- Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai
- Commissioner General for the Korean Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai Expo
- CEO, Asia-Pacific Local Government Network for Economic and Social Development (CityNet)
- Secretary General, World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization(WeGO)
- Law Clerk, Milwaukee Circuit Court, USA
- Senior Attorney-at-Law, Dr & Aju LLC
- Distinguished Visiting Professor, World Economy Research Institute, Nanjing University
- Research Professor, Institute of Oriental Studies, Peking University
- Distinguished Professor, Graduate School of Political Science, Kookmin University
- Chair Professor, Graduate School of Business, Dongguk University
- First President of Soongsil Cyber University

● Publications
- Georo English Studies Series for College Students [10 volumes] (Georo Publishing)
- I Challenge the Possibility of One Percent (Chosun Ilbo)
- The Art of Negotiation (Cheongnyonneongsin Publishing)
- Korea and the World (Chekmidum Publishing)