Our university selects students with desirable character, creativity, and outstanding academic performance who wish to pursue a Ph.D. in Business Administration at prestigious overseas universities. The aim is to nurture world-class talent in the field of business administration. Minseok Kim, selected as a 2024 中峰 Overseas Scholarship Student, will be pursuing a dual degree at the University of South Carolina, USA. We had the opportunity to speak with him.

Q1. Hello Minseok Kim, congratulations on being selected as a 中峰 Overseas Scholarship Student. Could you please introduce yourself and share your thoughts on this achievement?

Hello. My name is Minseok Kim, and I am currently a Ph.D. student at the Graduate School of Business Administration. I entered the Global Business Department at Sungkyunkwan University in 2008 and graduated from the Indiana University Business School in 2011 through the dual degree program. After graduating from university, I pursued a master's and doctoral degree to study my major in a more professional and in-depth manner.

This year, I was accepted into the Dual Ph.D. Program jointly operated by Sungkyunkwan University's College of Business Administration and the University of South Carolina's Business School, and I will continue my Ph.D. studies at the University of South Carolina. I am honored to be selected as a 中峰 Overseas Scholarship Student and would like to express my sincere gratitude to Chairman Hyunkoo Lee, who provided the scholarship, the professors who selected me, and Secretary General Eung Sang Lee of the Alumni Association.

Q2. During your undergraduate years, you must have participated in various academic societies and extracurricular activities. What was the most memorable activity you participated in, either on or off-campus?

The most memorable activity was participating in the Competition Law Research Society, which is a law school academic society. It stands out because I could collaborate not only with seniors from the Business Administration Department but also from other departments. Preparing for the Mock Fair Trade Commission Competition for university students, hosted by the Korea Fair Trade Commission, was a valuable experience where I learned law and economics from seniors in the law and economics departments. This experience allowed me to delve deeply into fields I had not encountered before, such as economics and law, beyond my major in business administration. Additionally, it was a precious opportunity to build friendships and network with seniors from various departments.

Q3. What memorable activities did you have during your master's program?

As the beginning of my graduate studies, the master's program was a time when I focused on understanding key papers and methodologies in my field. I have many fond memories of researching and discussing important papers with my peers and seniors, striving to comprehend them together.

Q4. Why did you choose the University of South Carolina? What do you plan to research during your Ph.D. program?

The Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina conducts interdisciplinary research involving business, capital markets, and various fields such as sociology, international relations, politics, culture, and psychology. I found the school's active interdisciplinary approach to understanding how cultural, political, and social factors impact business research to be particularly intriguing and a distinguishing feature.

My recent interests lie in climate change and climate finance. During my Ph.D. at the University of South Carolina, I plan to focus on research related to ESG and climate finance. Climate change significantly impacts corporate management and financial markets, presenting both opportunities and risks. Given the growing interest in corporate decision-making related to climate change, I aim to conduct research that can benefit business managers and market participants.

Additionally, I would like to explore how social and cultural factors influence business research across different countries, utilizing the resources provided by the University of South Carolina's business school to the fullest.

Q5. What are your goals after obtaining your Ph.D.?

During my Ph.D., I want to continually research areas of my interest and grow as an expert and researcher in the field. My current goal is to secure a position as an assistant professor at a prestigious university, either domestically or internationally. I aim to conduct active research, particularly on climate change, and provide ongoing consultation to corporations, government agencies, and international organizations based on my research findings.

Given the recent efforts to analyze climate change-related policies and the impact of climate finance investments at both governmental and international organization levels, I want to engage actively in related discussions and research. There are many significant topics emerging related to climate change, and I aim to produce valuable research results through continuous study in this area.

Q6. Do you have any advice for students preparing to enter the graduate programs (master's/Ph.D.) at Sungkyunkwan University?

Sungkyunkwan University's graduate programs offer an excellent opportunity to delve deeper into your major and develop research skills and expertise. The College of Business Administration provides various scholarship programs and great support from professors, making it a worthwhile choice for graduate studies. I believe my decision to continue my studies here was a great one. The opportunity to receive guidance from globally renowned professors and participate in excellent programs, such as the dual degree program with the University of South Carolina, continues to grow. I highly recommend our graduate programs to juniors, as the benefits of studying at Sungkyunkwan University's College of Business Administration are significant.

Q7. Lastly, is there anything you would like to say?

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude once again to Chairman Hyunkoo Lee for establishing the 中峰 Overseas Scholarship fund. Due to recent increases in exchange rates and inflation, the cost of living in the United States has risen significantly, causing much concern. However, thanks to the 中峰 Overseas Scholarship, I have received considerable financial assistance. I am also deeply grateful to the professors who believed in my potential and supported me generously, as well as Secretary General Eung Sang Lee of the Alumni Association for selecting me as a 中峰 Overseas Scholarship student.

As a 中峰 Overseas Scholarship recipient, I will continue to strive toward greater goals with pride. I hope that more 中峰 Overseas Scholarship students will be selected in the future and that we can meet in the field of business academia. I will do my best to become an excellent researcher.

Thank you.