Kim Chin-kyung

Kim Chin Kyung (also spelled Kim Chinkyung and known as James Kim in the United States) born 1935 in [ (Seoul)], Korean-American is a Doctor of Philosophy and a founder of international institutes of higher learning in Yanbian, China & Pyongyang, DPRK. He not only holds a United States passport, but also a honorary permanent Chinese citizenship. He was held as a political prisoner of DPRK in 1998.[1][2]

Early life

Kim wanted to join the South Korean army when the Korean War broke out in 1950, but was initially rejected since he was too young. After having signed a petition with his own blood he was allowed to join a student battalion. When the war ended, he was amongst one of only 17 survivors out of 800 soldiers in his battalion.[3] This caused him to vow to dedicate the rest of his life in bringing peace to those who were thought to be the enemies during the war, the Chinese and the North Koreans. He went to Seoul for schooling and education, and then studied in Bristol, England, before moving onwards to Florida, working in business and spreading his love towards humanity.

Career

Yanbian University of Science and Technology

In 1992, Kim founded the Yanbian University of Science and Technology (YUST) in the North-Eastern part of China, inside the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, and served as its first president. It has around 2000 students and is counted among the top hundred universities of China. The YUST is a high-profile and ambitious venture in the spirit of Korean unification. Kim has also been an advisor to the government of China's Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture since 1989.

Pyongyang University of Science and Technology

Kim was also the driving force behind the creation of the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST), the first joint venture institute of higher learning inside North Korea that is founded, funded and operated jointly by both North and South Korean associations and individuals. The PUST project was started in 2001, and was scheduled to be open in 2003 but only took in its first class in 2010. In 2018 it had 650 students of whom roughly 400 students were undergraduates.<ref: "cnnmoney 2012> http://money.cnn.com/2012/03/14/news/international/james_kim_pust.fortune/index.htm The capitalist who (still) loves North Korea], CNN Money, March 15, 2012.</ref>;<ref: updated "NAFEC/PUST 2018" University Administration>

PUST is employing faculty from prestigious universities and research institutions from United States, China and over 10+ other countries (varies each semester). Courses are taught in both Korean and English.

Awards

Among honours won for Kim are the KBS Award to the Outstanding Overseas Countryman of the Year (1995); Honorary Citizenship to the city of Seoul (1995); Honorary Permanent Citizenship to China (1998); and the Korean Peony Prize for Distinguished Service (2002).

References

  1. ↑ Open for business March 19 2012 Fortune page 26
  2. ↑ The Capitalist who loves North Korea September 2009 Fortune.com
  3. ↑ http://money.cnn.com/2009/09/14/magazines/fortune/pyongyang_university_north_korea.fortune/index.htm
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