October 14, 1977 – October 1, 2025
It is with deep sorrow that we note the passing of Dr. Sungju Park-Kang, a distinguished Senior Research Fellow at the DPRK Strategic Research Center and faculty member in the Department of International Relations at KIMEP University.
Dr. Park-Kang was a man of exceptional intellect, insatiable curiosity, and boundless humanity. As a scholar, he approached life with a genuine love for knowledge and humanity, leaving an unforgettable impression on all who had the honor of knowing him.
Dr. Park-Kang had traveled to South Korea at the end of September to receive medical treatment and sadly passed away from illness during his visit.
In high school in South Korea, Dr. Park-Kang dreamed of becoming a diplomat. However, after reading a career guide suggesting that diplomats must sometimes lie for their country’s sake, he chose instead to dedicate his life to honesty through education. His journey took him to the United States as an exchange student, a time he fondly described as the “golden era” of his life, during which he thrived in the international environment.
Over the past 17 years, Dr. Park-Kang devoted himself to academia, teaching at nine universities across seven countries, including Leiden University in the Netherlands, the University of Central Lancashire in the UK, and the University of Turku in Finland, where he held a permanent Adjunct Professorship. In his role at KIMEP, he served as an Assistant Professor of International Relations and as a Research Fellow, collaborating closely with President Chan Young Bang.
Dr. Park-Kang was a prolific scholar whose work appeared in leading journals such as Review of International Studies, Millennium: Journal of International Studies, Asia Europe Journal, Polity, and The Geopolitics. He was the author of Tears of Theory: International Relations as Storytelling and Fictional International Relations: Gender, Pain and Truth.
Beyond his academic achievements, Dr. Park-Kang will be remembered for his kindness, humility, and sincerity. He was an incredibly humble person despite his remarkable accomplishments, and always treated others with respect and genuine interest. Throughout his career, he made several donations to educational institutions in Korea and had planned to do the same at KIMEP University. He had joined KIMEP as a research fellow in February 2025 and launched the Kang Scholarship in June 2025 in honor of his mother, in order to support students and motivate them to become future leaders. Though the scholarship is now on hold, his belief in the potential of KIMEP students will continue to inspire them.
Dr. Park-Kang’s commitment to his principles, his love for his family and students, and his devotion to truth and justice defined both his work and his life. When asked to advise students, he said, “First, it would be great if you could try to be unique, rather than top of the class. Second, it would be great if you could believe in the power of sweat, more than talent. Third, it would be great if you could minimize smartphone use for the sake of your health and intellectual training.”
Dr. Park-Kang will be remembered by the KIMEP community as a hard-working, selfless person with a big heart. He often mentioned his fondness for the university and for the students who had the opportunity to attend his classes. During his tenure at the DPRK Strategic Research Center, he produced numerous publications and made a significant contribution to research on North Korea’s denuclearization and prospects for economic development.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, colleagues, students, and all whose lives he touched so profoundly. Though his time with us was all too brief, the impact of his presence will forever echo within the halls of KIMEP University and far beyond. Dr. Park-Kang’s legacy of kindness and dedication will serve as a guiding light for all who knew him.