David C. Kang

2.1. Birth and Family

David Chan-oong Kang was born on January 17, 1965. His Korean name is 강찬웅_{Kang Chan-oong}^Korean (康燦雄). He is a Korean American and belongs to the Sincheon Kang clan, a notable Korean family lineage.

2.2. Education

Kang pursued his undergraduate studies at Stanford University, where he earned a bachelor's degree with honors in Anthropology and International Politics in 1988. He then continued his academic journey at the University of California, Berkeley, where he completed his master's and doctoral degrees in Political Science in 1995.

3.1. Teaching Positions

Kang has served as a professor at several prominent universities. He was a professor at Dartmouth College for an extended period. Since 2009, he has been a professor at the University of Southern California (USC), holding a joint appointment in international politics and organization and management. His expertise has also led him to guest professorships at other distinguished institutions, including Stanford University, Yale University, Seoul National University, Korea University, and the University of Geneva.

3.2. Research Leadership

At the University of Southern California, David C. Kang holds a significant leadership role as the director of the USC Korean Studies Institute. In this capacity, he guides research and academic programs, fostering a deeper understanding of Korean history, society, and politics within the international academic community.

4.1. Research Focus

Kang's core areas of academic inquiry primarily revolve around East Asian security, North Korean policy, and broader aspects of international relations and comparative politics. He has also explored specific economic phenomena such as crony capitalism, analyzing its impact on development in countries like South Korea and the Philippines. A notable aspect of his research includes an in-depth examination of North Korea's foreign and domestic policies, its behavioral motivations, and the extent to which its actions are predictable. His review essay, They Think They're Normal: Enduring Questions and New Research on North Korea - A Review Essay, delves into these questions, drawing on the scholarly works of Patrick McEachern, Stephan Haggard and Marcus Noland, and Suk-Young Kim to understand North Korea's survival strategies as a communist regime and its future trajectory.

4.2. Major Books

David C. Kang has authored or co-authored several influential books that explore various facets of East Asian history, politics, and international relations:

• Beyond Power Transitions: The Lessons of East Asian History and the Future of U.S.-China Relations (2024), co-authored with Xinru Ma, examines historical patterns to forecast future dynamics between the United States and China.
• State Formation through Emulation: The East Asian Model (2022), co-authored with Chin-hao Huang, analyzes how East Asian states have developed by emulating certain models.
• East Asia in the World: Twelve Events That Shaped the Modern International Order (2020), co-authored with Stephan Haggard, identifies key historical events that have shaped the contemporary international order in East Asia.
• American Grand Strategy and East Asian Security in the Twenty-First Century (2017) discusses the role of U.S. foreign policy in maintaining security in East Asia.
• East Asia Before the West: Five Centuries of Trade and Tribute (2010) offers a historical perspective on East Asia's trade and tribute systems prior to Western influence.
• Engagement with North Korea: A Viable Alternative (2009), co-authored with Sung Chull Kim, explores alternative strategies for engaging with North Korea.
• China Rising: Peace, Power, and Order in East Asia (2007) analyzes the implications of China's growing power for regional peace and order.
• Nuclear North Korea: A Debate on Engagement Strategies (2003), co-authored with Victor Cha, presents a discussion on different approaches to addressing North Korea's nuclear program.
• Crony Capitalism: Corruption and Development in South Korea and the Philippines (2002) investigates the relationship between corruption and economic development in South Korea and the Philippines.

4.3. Selected Papers and Essays

In addition to his books, Kang has contributed to academic discourse through numerous papers and review essays. His 2011 review essay, They Think They'Re Normal: Enduring Questions and New Research on North Korea - A Review Essay, published in International Security (vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 142-171), provides a critical analysis of scholarly works on North Korea, focusing on its foreign and domestic policy, behavioral motivations, and predictability.

5.1. Media Contributions and Analysis

Kang frequently provides commentary and analysis to major media outlets, contributing to public understanding of complex international issues. His insights have been featured in:

• The New York Times, where he has offered perspectives on understanding the political role of Kim Jong-un.
• WNYC's On the Media (a program from Washington Post), where he has analyzed whether there should be concern about North Korea.
• CNN, where he provided analysis on the death of Kim Jong-un's half-brother.
• The East Asia Forum, where he has presented reasons for optimism regarding North Korea and explained why the Moon Jae-in-Kim Jong-un summit was considered the main event compared to the U.S.-North Korea summit.
• TIME, where he discussed the ultimate reasons behind Donald Trump's desire to meet with Kim Jong-un.

5.2. Public Lectures and Talks

Kang also engages with the public through lectures and online presentations, sharing his knowledge on a range of topics related to the Korean Peninsula and East Asia:

• He has delivered an overview of Korean history, providing a foundational understanding of the nation's past.
• His "North Korea Beyond the Headlines" series includes a first part introducing North Korea's economy and its overall situation.
• The second part of "North Korea Beyond the Headlines" offers an analysis of North Korea's military strategy and challenges.