Young-Gil Kim

Research

Title of research 

Formal-Informal Institutional Relationships, Subsequent Processes, and Different Outcomes:  Addressing a Problem of Competing Claims to Land in Dili and Ainaro District, Timor-Leste

Brief overview of research topic:

I explore what is de facto happening in a post-conflict context with a focus on formal-informal institutional relationships. Although liberal peace promised 4 main tenets (human rights, democracy, a market economy, and the rule of law) by establishing and strengthening formal institutions briefly defined as states/government orginasations in a post-conflict context, empirical studies suggest different evidence; for example, informal institutions such as customary institutions play a more important role as well as formal-informal institutional relationships matter in governing people’s every day lives. In line with this, I explore how the problem of competing claims to land in Timor-Leste is addressed in post-conflict Timor-Leste.

Further information

Qualifications

Master of Political Science, Korea University, South Korea (2007)

Bachelor of Arts, Yonsei University, South Korea (2005)

Certificate of International Human Rights Law, Seoul National University, South Korea (2010)

Certificate of Advanced Human Rights, The Asia Center for Human Rights/Korea University (2010)

Certificate of Commendation from Education Minister of Timor-Leste (Dili, 20 July 2017)

Field experience

In my eight years serving as a foreign aid worker for the South Korean government aid agency, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), which included the experience of being an expatriate in Timor-Leste for over a year (2016-2017), I had invaluable opportunities to work with diverse entities such as UN agencies and international NGOs. Furthermore, through travelling abroad for work, I extensively discussed the peace and development agenda with government officials in a total of 13 countries (Afghanistan, Cambodia, China, El-Salvador, India, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines, Senegal, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam).

Teaching

As a Military Officer (1st Lieutenant/Lecturer), I taught International Relations Theory, International Organisation, and Korea’s National Defence at Korea Army Academy at Yeongcheon (2007 – 2008).

I also served as a teaching assistant (TA) for Prof. Han, Sung-Joo's class “What is diplomacy?” in 2005 at Korea University. Prof. Han served as a Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea from 1993 to 1994.