Baek Yung Kim

Baek Yung Kim is a Professor of Sociology at Seoul National University and a Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics (LSE). He holds a B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in Sociology from Seoul National University. He currently serves as Director of the Northeast Asia Center at Seoul National University Asia Center. Previously, he was Dean of Ingenium College of Liberal Arts at Kwangwoon University (2018–2021) and President of the Korean Social History Association (2021–2023). He also served as Executive Editor of the Korean Journal of Urban History (2009–2010).

His research focuses on colonial and postcolonial urban socio-spatial transformations in Korea and Northeast Asia, with expertise in Seoul studies, urban sociology, and Korean modern history. Key themes include colonial legacies, urban development projects (e.g., Gangnam and Jamsil Olympic Town), and the interplay between governance and urban space.

His publications span Korean and English, addressing topics like the April 19 Uprising, Olympic-driven urbanization, and colonial railway networks. He is recognized for bridging historical and sociological approaches in analyzing Korean modernity and postcolonial societies.

Kim’s academic leadership roles include directing research centers and editing journals, reflecting his commitment to advancing urban and historical studies in Korea and beyond.