A representative scholar who achieved excellent academic performance in the theoretical physics and chemistry area including ‘Group Theory’
Organized the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association and contributed to the development of science and technology and economic recovery of the homeland including support of young students studying abroad
(Late) Kim Shoon-kyung
Honorary professor of Temple University (1920~2003)
- Academic background
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1942.04 ~ 1944.09
Graduated Department of Chemistry, Osaka University, Japan (B.S)
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1954.09 ~ 1956.05
Graduated Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Yale University, US (Ph.D.)
- Professional career
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1944.10 ~ 1946.01
Researcher, Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Kyoto University, Japan
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1946.02 ~ 1947.02
Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University
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1947.04 ~ 1949.02
Researcher, Central Research Institute
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1949.03 ~ 1965.09
Assistant Professor and Professor, Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University
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1962.04 ~ 1966.08
Visiting Professor, Department of Chemistry, Brown University, US
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1966.09 ~ 1969.08
Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, US
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1973.01 ~ 1973.07
Sabbatical Professor, Lorenz Research Institute, Leiden University, Netherland
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1980.06 ~ 1980.12
Sabbatical Professor, Oxford University, UK
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1969.09 ~ 1990.06
Professor, Department of Chemistry, Temple University, US
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1990.07 ~ 2003.03
Honorary Professor, Temple University, US
- Awards
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1961.07
President of National Academy of Sciences
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1997.05
Rose of Sharon Medal
A theoretical physicist who supported the development of homeland remotely
Obtained international reputation with ‘Group Theory’ that approached chemistry with physics
Professor Shoon Kyung Kim is a great teacher in Korean chemistry, who accomplished excellent academic performances in the theoretical physics and chemistry and gave an effort to fostering of the upcoming generation. In several domains of physics and chemistry such as statistical dynamics, mathematical physician, chemistry, theoretical physics, and general physics, he devoted his whole life to academic research, publishing 72 articles, 4 books, and 3 translated books.
During confused and difficult times after liberation and Korean War, he strengthened the base of chemical education and research in Korea and obtained a global reputation in the theoretical physics and chemistry filed, including publishing 21 articles in the area of ‘Group Theory’ approaching chemistry with physics.
His theory strong electrolyte solution is evaluated as the most excellent study in this area, investigating relaxation and ‘Wien effect’ in the strong electrolyte solution theoretically as an area studied under professor Lars Onsager (1960 Nobel Prize winner) in Yale University. Besides he contributed to the strengthening of the base of theoretical base and chemistry area by publishing 9 articles in the area of statistical dynamics and theoretical chemistry.
He contributed to the development of nation and society, by making the base of Korea science history left in dull days just after the liberation as well as academic performance. Especially, although in 1951 when he was appointed as the professor of Chemistry Department, Seoul National University and 1956 when he returned Korea after finishing doctoral degree in Yale University, US, Korea was in the confused conditions, he worked at Seoul National University for 17 years until 1965 to foster next generation in the Korean chemistry without pursuit of individual honors and strive for spread of studies.
Founded KSEA and contributed to the establishment of KIST and POSTECH
As well as striving to foster the next generation, he performed academic activities positively by reorganizing the Korean Chemical Society, improving its operating system to the secretary-general liability system, and serving as the secretary-general personally. He obtained the approval of subscription to IUPAC in spite of the objection of Russia (former the Soviet Union) in the Cold War system and made a great contribution to raising the Korean chemistry field to the international level.
In 1968, he founded Korea-North America Chemical Engineers Association and served the 1st and 2nd chairman successively to develop the chemistry area in Korea and in the end of 1971, initiated and founded Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) to tighten mutual relationships between Korean scientist working at science and engineering part in US and make a great contribution to development of homeland’s science and technology.
Recognizing his contribution to the development of nation and society, the National Academy of Sciences Prize in 1961, Order of Civil Merit, Camellia Medal in 1972 and Rose of Sharon Medal in 1996 were awarded.