Yang Sung-chul

2.1. Birth and Upbringing

Yang Sung-chul was born on November 20, 1939, in Gokseong County, Jeollanam-do, Korea. His early life experiences in this region provided a foundational context for his personal and national identity, which would later influence his academic and political perspectives. He attended Gokseong Jungang Elementary School and Gokseong Middle School.

2.2. Education

Yang Sung-chul pursued his undergraduate studies at Seoul National University, graduating from its Department of Political Science. During his college years, he volunteered for military service in the Republic of Korea Army from 1960 to 1962 as a student draftee. In 1965, he received a scholarship to study at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's East-West Center, where he earned his Master of Arts degree in Political Science in 1967. While in Honolulu in 1966, he first met Kim Dae-jung, who was visiting Hawaii at the invitation of the United States Department of State; Yang would later become a significant political supporter of Kim.

He continued his doctoral studies at the University of Kentucky, where he completed his Ph.D. in 1970. His doctoral dissertation focused on a comparative study of two pivotal events in South Korean history: the April Revolution of 1960, which led to the resignation of Syngman Rhee, and the May 16 coup of 1961, which brought Park Chung-hee to power. This early academic work demonstrated his keen interest in Korean political transitions and comparative analysis.

3.1. Journalism

In October 1963, Yang Sung-chul began working as a reporter for the Hankook Ilbo, a major South Korean newspaper. This experience provided him with practical insights into the political and social landscape, which likely influenced his later academic research and political engagement.

3.2. Academic Career in the United States

Upon receiving his Ph.D. in 1970, Yang Sung-chul began his academic career in the United States. He taught at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky for four years. From 1975 to 1987, he served as a full professor and a member of the graduate faculty at the University of Kentucky. Additionally, he held visiting professorships at several other prominent American universities, including Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and Pembroke State University in Pembroke, North Carolina.

During his time in the United States, Yang Sung-chul was actively involved in fostering Korean studies and political science. He was one of the founding members of the Association of the Korean Political Scientists in North America and served as its Secretary-General and later as a director, contributing to the academic exchange and collaboration among scholars focused on Korean affairs.

4.1. Return to South Korea and Professorships

Yang Sung-chul returned to South Korea in 1986, initially as a visiting professor in the Department of Political Science at Seoul National University for the spring semester. Later that same year, he accepted a professorship at the Graduate Institute of Peace Studies at Kyung Hee University. He remained at Kyung Hee University until 1996, serving as an academic dean and acting director, where he continued to contribute to peace studies and academic leadership. In 1994, he served as the president of the Korean Association of International Studies.

4.2. Entry into Politics

Yang Sung-chul transitioned into direct political involvement in South Korea. He became affiliated with the National Congress for New Politics, a major political party led by Kim Dae-jung. His entry into politics reflected his commitment to public service and his alignment with the party's objectives.

4.3. National Assembly Service

In the 1996 South Korean legislative election, Yang Sung-chul was elected to the 15th National Assembly, representing the Gokseong County and Gurye County constituency in South Jeolla Province. He secured his seat with 28,251 votes, accounting for 70.37% of the total votes, demonstrating strong support from his constituents.

During his tenure in the National Assembly, he actively participated in legislative affairs. He served as a member and secretary of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, a role that aligned with his expertise in international relations and Korean unification issues. In 1998, he was appointed as the acting head of the National Congress for New Politics's Jeollanam-do provincial branch, further solidifying his leadership role within the party. He also served as a member of the Budget and Accounts Special Committee and as the International Cooperation Chairman for the National Congress.

5.1. Appointment and Diplomatic Role

In May 2000, shortly before the historic first Inter-Korean summit, South Korean media reported that Yang Sung-chul had been chosen as the next ambassador to the United States. His appointment was considered a surprise due to his relatively limited prior political and diplomatic experience. However, the Kim Dae-jung administration's decision was strategically significant. According to analysis by Stratfor, the global intelligence company, Yang's nomination, alongside the appointment of veteran diplomat Hong Soong-young as ambassador to China, was part of a broader effort to advance the Sunshine Policy.

Yang Sung-chul, an expert on North Korean affairs, was sent to Washington to symbolize the autonomy of Seoul's policies toward Pyongyang. This move underscored South Korea's commitment to independent engagement with North Korea, even while maintaining its strong alliance with the United States. Concurrently, Hong Soong-young's role in Beijing was to strengthen relations with China and secure its support for inter-Korean reconciliation efforts. This dual diplomatic strategy aimed to foster a more favorable international environment for the Sunshine Policy's objectives of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

5.2. Term and Significance

Yang Sung-chul officially began his term as Ambassador to the United States on September 5, 2000, serving until April 16, 2003. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in navigating the complex relationship between South Korea and the United States, especially as the Kim Dae-jung administration actively pursued its engagement policy with North Korea. His diplomatic initiatives focused on maintaining robust bilateral ties while advocating for South Korea's approach to inter-Korean issues.

A notable event during his ambassadorship was a wreath-laying ceremony in 2001 for African-American veterans of the Korean War, where he was photographed alongside Secretary of the Army Thomas E. White and retired Army Lieutenant General Julius Becton. This event highlighted the enduring bond and shared history between the two nations. Yang Sung-chul submitted his resignation to President Kim Dae-jung in mid-February 2003, shortly before the end of Kim's presidential term. He was succeeded by Han Sung-joo as ambassador. His work as ambassador was significant in fostering understanding and cooperation between the two allies during a critical period for inter-Korean relations.

6.1. Post-Ambassadorship Academic and Foundation Work

After concluding his diplomatic post, Yang Sung-chul and his wife returned to South Korea. He was appointed as a Chair Professor at Korea University's Graduate School of International Studies, where he taught from 2003 to 2008. His academic work continued to focus on international relations and Korean affairs.

He also became deeply involved with the Kim Dae-jung Peace Foundation, serving as an advisory committee member, advisory chairman, and advisor from August 2003 to the present. In this capacity, he has contributed to promoting the legacy of Kim Dae-jung's efforts for peace, democracy, and human rights, particularly concerning inter-Korean relations.

6.2. Lecture Series Endowment

Demonstrating his enduring commitment to fostering academic exchange and understanding of Korean studies, Yang Sung-chul and Daisy Lee Yang established the Drs. Sung-Chul Yang and Daisy Lee Yang Lecture Series endowment fund. The initial agreement was made with the University of Hawaii Foundation on July 28, 2015, and was subsequently amended on June 8, 2021. This fund supports the promotion and advancement of Korean Studies at the Center for Korean Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Campus. The lecture series is designed to invite eminent scholars of Korean or Asian affairs to deliver biennial lectures, ensuring continued academic discourse and research in the field.

7.1. Major Research Areas

Yang Sung-chul's academic work extensively covers various aspects of Korean politics. His doctoral dissertation, which comparatively analyzed the 1960 April Revolution and the 1961 May 16 coup, established his early focus on critical junctures in South Korean political history. He expanded this interest into comprehensive studies of the South Korean political system, examining its evolution and characteristics.

A significant portion of his research is dedicated to North Korean affairs, including its political system, foreign policy, and the dynamics of its regime. He has also explored strategies for Korean unification, offering insights into potential pathways and challenges. His comparative studies often extend beyond the Korean Peninsula, drawing parallels and lessons from other instances of political change and divided nations, such as his work on German unification in relation to divided Korea. His analytical depth is evident in his ability to dissect complex political phenomena and offer nuanced perspectives on the Korean Peninsula's unique geopolitical context.

7.2. Political Philosophy and Ideology

Through his writings and public engagements, Yang Sung-chul consistently articulated a political philosophy rooted in democratic values, social justice, and human rights. His association with Kim Dae-jung and his involvement with the Kim Dae-jung Peace Foundation underscore his commitment to progressive ideals and peaceful reconciliation. His work on inter-Korean relations emphasizes dialogue and engagement as crucial tools for overcoming division, aligning with the principles of the Sunshine Policy.

His decision to acquire US citizenship in 1977, partly influenced by despair over Park Chung-hee's Yushin system and concerns over human rights issues, further highlights his opposition to authoritarianism and his commitment to democratic principles. This act, and his subsequent renunciation of US citizenship to resume South Korean citizenship upon his return, illustrate his evolving national identity and his dedication to contributing to a democratic South Korea. His scholarly and political endeavors consistently reflect a belief in the power of peaceful means to achieve social progress and human dignity.

8.1. Family

Yang Sung-chul married after moving to the United States. He and his wife have two children.

8.2. Citizenship Status Changes

In 1977, Yang Sung-chul naturalized as a U.S. citizen. This decision was influenced by a confluence of factors, including human rights issues he encountered, a sense of despair regarding the Park Chung-hee regime's Yushin system, and practical considerations such as visa issues related to attending the World Political Science Congress in the Soviet Union.

Upon his return to South Korea in 1986, he applied for the restoration of his South Korean citizenship. In 1989, he formally renounced his U.S. citizenship, thereby resuming his South Korean citizenship. This series of citizenship changes illustrates his unique international life and his deep, evolving connection to his home country.

9.1. English Publications

• Revolution and Change: A Comparative Study of the April Student Revolution of 1960 and the May Military Coup d'etat of 1961 in Korea. Doctoral dissertation. University of Kentucky. 1970.
• Korea and Two Regimes: Kim Il Sung and Park Chung Hee. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Schenkman Publishing Co. 1981.
• The North and South Korean Political Systems: A Comparative Analysis. Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press. 1994.
• Polemics & Foibles: Fragments on Korean Politics, Society and Beyond. Seoul: Seoul Press. 1998.
• As editor. Democracy and Communism: Theory, Reality and the Future. The KAIS International Conference Series No. 3. Seoul: The Korean Association of International Studies. 1995.
• With James Lilley et al. Ambassadors' Memoir: U.S.-Korea Relations Through the Eyes of the Ambassadors. Washington, D.C.: Korea Economic Institute. 2008.
• Revolution and Change: A Comparative Study of the April Student Revolution of 1960 and the May Military Coup d'etat of 1961 in Korea. Seoul: Korea University Press. 2015.

9.2. Korean Publications

• With Pak Han-sik et al. 북한 기행: 재미 한국인 학자 9인이 본 80년대 북한_{A Journey to North Korea: 1980s North Korea as Seen by Nine Korean Scholars from the U.S.}^Korean. Seoul: Hanul Publishing Co. 1986.
• 남북통일 이론의 새로운 전개_{A New Approach to Unified Korea}^Korean. Unification Research Series no. 5. Seoul: Institute for Far Eastern Studies, Kyungnam University. 1989.
• With Park Sung-Jo. 독일통일과 분단한국_{United Germany and Divided Korea}^Korean. Unification Research Series No. 6. Seoul: Institute for Far Eastern Studies, Kyungnam University. 1991.
• 한국정부론:역대정권 고위직 행정엘리트 연구(1948-1993)_{On The Government of the Republic of Korea: A Study of Top Administrative Elites from 1948 to 1993}^Korean. Seoul: Pakyong-sa. 1994.
• 북한정치 연구_{A Study of North Korean Politics}^Korean (2nd ed.). Seoul: Pakyong-sa. 1995.
• Co-edited with Kang Sung-hak. 북한외교정책_{North Korea's Foreign Policy}^Korean. Seoul: Seoul Press. 1995.
• With Lee Yong-pil. 북한체제변화와 협상전략_{Negotiation Strategy to Transform the North Korean Political System}^Korean. Seoul: Pakyong-sa. 1996.
• 삶의 정치:이제 정치도 새롭게 태어나자_{Politics for Every Day Life}^Korean. Seoul Press. 1997.
• 물구나무서기 정치_{On Topsyturvy Politics}^Korean. Seoul Press. 1998.
• 통일:우리도 분단을 극복할 수 있다, Volume I and II_{Unification: We Can Overcome Division}^Korean. Seoul Press. 1999.
• 움:민구의 작은 발견_{Um: Mingoo's Small Discovery}^Korean. Seoul: Hyeondae Simunhak. 2007.
• With Lee Jung-bok. 21세기 한국 정치의 발전방향_{Development Direction of 21st Century Korean Politics}^Korean. Seoul: Seoul National University Press. 2009.
• 한국 외교와 외교관:양성철 전주미대사_{Korean Diplomacy and Diplomats: Former Ambassador to the U.S. Yang Sung-chul}^Korean. Seoul: Korea National Diplomatic Academy. 2015.
• With Lee Sang-geun. 김대중 외교: 비전과 유산_{Kim Dae-jung Diplomacy: Vision and Legacy}^Korean. Seoul: Yonsei University Press. 2015.
• 학문과 정치:막스 베버와 21세기 전자인간시대_{Science and Politics: Max Weber and Homo Electronicus in the 21st Century}^Korean. Seoul: Korea University Press. 2017.
• 글이 금이다_{Classic is Gold}^Korean. Seoul: Pakyong-sa. 2019.