Hyun In-taek
Encyclopedia
Hyun In-Taek is the current Minister of Unification
of South Korea. As the Minister of Unification, he oversees matters related to South Korea’s policies toward North Korea
, inter-Korean affairs, unification of the two Koreas
, and public education on unification.
Hyun previously served on the presidential transition committee for President
Lee Myung-bak
. He was one of the main designers of the Lee Myung-bak administration’s policy toward North Korea, “Vision 3000: Denuclearization and Openness” initiative.
Before his appointment as the Minister of Unification, Hyun held a position of professor of political science
and international relations
at Korea University
where he received his B.A.
and M.A.
He holds a Ph. D. in international politics from the University of California
, Los Angeles. He also long served as the director of the Ilmin International Relations Institute, one of Korea’s major think tanks
on international relations, and was a research fellow at the Sejong Institute, a research institute on security and foreign affairs.
Ministry of Unification
The Ministry of Unification is a branch of the South Korean government that is charged with working toward the reunification of Korea. It was first established in 1969 as the National Unification Board, under the rule of Park Chung-hee...
of South Korea. As the Minister of Unification, he oversees matters related to South Korea’s policies toward North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
, inter-Korean affairs, unification of the two Koreas
Korean reunification
Korean reunification refers to the hypothetical future reunification of North Korea and South Korea under a single government...
, and public education on unification.
Hyun previously served on the presidential transition committee for President
President of South Korea
The President of the Republic of Korea is, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, chief executive of the government, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and the head of state of the Republic of Korea...
Lee Myung-bak
Lee Myung-bak
Lee Myung-bak is the President of South Korea. Prior to his presidency, he was the CEO of Hyundai Engineering and Construction and the mayor of Seoul. He is married to Kim Yoon-ok and has three daughters and one son. His older brother is Lee Sang-deuk, a South Korean politician. He attends the...
. He was one of the main designers of the Lee Myung-bak administration’s policy toward North Korea, “Vision 3000: Denuclearization and Openness” initiative.
Before his appointment as the Minister of Unification, Hyun held a position of professor of political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
and international relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
at Korea University
Korea University
Korea University is a prestigious nonsectarian, private research university located primarily in Seoul, South Korea, and one of the SKY universities, a historical acronym used in South Korea to refer to Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University. Founded by Lee Yong-ik in...
where he received his B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
and M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
He holds a Ph. D. in international politics from the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
, Los Angeles. He also long served as the director of the Ilmin International Relations Institute, one of Korea’s major think tanks
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
on international relations, and was a research fellow at the Sejong Institute, a research institute on security and foreign affairs.