KIM Jong-gul graduated from the Department of Economics at Yonsei University and received both his M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from Keio University of Japan. After working at the Research Institute of the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, he joined Hanyang University in 1997, where he has been serving as a professor at the Graduate School of International Studies. He previously served as Dean of the Division of International Studies and Dean of the Graduate School of International Studies. He taught courses in Development Economics and Social Solidarity Economy. Currently, his research and public activities focus on regional and local development. Now he serves as Chair of the Policy Advisory Committee of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and as a member of the Presidential Basic Society Committee.