Keun-sik Kim received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in political science from Seoul National University. He published numerous articles and books on North Korean politics, inter-Korean relations, and the North Korean nuclear issue. During the 2007 inter-Korean summit, he visited Pyongyang as a special envoy of President Roh Moo-hyun. He advised numerous government organizations related to security and foreign policies serving in advisory committees of the Blue House, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Unification, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He actively engaged in unification-related civic group activities serving as the Chairman of the Operation Committee and the Chairman of the Policy Committee of the Unification Association of the Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice. He made appearances on various TV programs as a panelist. He is also politically active serving as the Chairman of the Unification Committee of the People’s Party.
Professor Kim believes that we should not rely wholly on negotiations itself while inheriting the legitimacy of the Sunshine Policy as North Korea is currently a nuclear state, unlike the past. His book For the Evolution of the Engagement Policy toward North Korea acknowledges the necessity of exchanges and cooperation but argues that the focus should be on promoting meaningful strategic changes in North Korea.