Christine Kim

Christine Kim, PhD

Biography

Dr. Kyung-hwa (Christine) Kim is a native of South Korea. Before entering academia, she received professional training as a conference simultaneous interpreter and translator and worked with Korean political leaders. Dr. Kim’s research focuses on political leadership, state–society relations, and modern Korean politics, with particular attention to constitutionalism and leadership in developing countries. More recently, her scholarly interests have expanded to include the nexus between politics and religion.

Education and Credentials

• PhD in political science, Syracuse University
• MA in international relations, Syracuse University
• MA in translation and simultaneous interpretation (English-Korean), Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
• BA in English language and literature, Korea Open University
• Graduate Certificate in biblical and theological studies (In Progress), Cedarville University

Scholarly Works

• Presidential Instability in a Developing Country: Reassessing South Korean Politics from a State-Society Relations Perspective – PhD dissertation, Syracuse University
• "Human Will, State and Syngman Rhee’s Role in Building the Republic of Korea" (With Dr. Robert Bedeski), Journal of Asian Politics and History.
• "A Case for Syngman Rhee: Sovereign Preparation for Political Leadership and Establishing the Republic of Korea in 1948." – Book chapter In Pursuit of Moral Political Leadership
• The Korean Miracle – Book translation into English

Interests

• Hand embroidery
• Crocheting
• Playing piano
• Watching documentaries and movies
• Learning languages (now Japanese)

Why Cedarville?

My entire academic journey — including coming to the United States for higher education — has been a primary means through which God revealed His glory and power to me and ultimately led me to salvation. God also clearly paved the way for me to come to Cedarville University. As one called to be a fisher of men, I see Cedarville as the lake where I cast my net. I am honored and grateful to participate in the work of making disciples here and to engage daily with godly men and women.