Hee-Kang Kim (Ph.D., University of Chicago) is a Professor in the Department of Public Administration at Korea University, Seoul.

My research explores the intersection of care ethics, justice theory, and normative policy analysis. I am dedicated to approaching care as a fundamental agenda of democracy and justice, focusing on developing the 'Caring Democratic State' as both a theoretical framework and an institutional model.

Currently, I am authoring a book for a general audience that connects the classics of care ethics with contemporary social phenomena and policies in Korea, exploring how care can be transformed into a core democratic norm. My ongoing work also includes a study that reinterprets the 'light stick' movements and collective solidarity during the recent anti-martial law protests as a powerful enactment of caring democracy—a ‘political practice of care’ in which citizens take responsibility for each other's well-being and dignity. Furthermore, I am exploring the complex relationship between care and the disability movement in Korea, examining how care can move beyond its traditional perception as an obstacle to independence and instead be embraced as an essential foundation for self-determination and interdependent living within the community.

Curriculum Vitae ↗ | Google Scholar Citations ↗

■ Representative Publications

• Caring Democratic State (2022): This book explores the philosophical background and normative justification of a caring state, focusing on institutional and policy designs that move beyond the traditional welfare state. It redefines care as a constitutional value and a shared public responsibility. (Selected as an Outstanding Book by Sejong Books, 2022).
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• Normative Policy Analysis (2016): This work examines various public policies from a philosophical perspective, establishing a normative foundation for policy research in Korea. It provides a critical lens for evaluating the ethical implications of state action and institutional design. (Selected as an Outstanding Academic Book by the National Academy of Sciences, 2017).

My research has appeared in various international journals, including Journal of Social Philosophy, Critical Social Policy, Ethics and Social Welfare, and International Journal of Care and Caring.

■ Current Research & Recent Works

“Multiple Temporalities of State-building and Care in South Korea” (2025) ↗  : This paper investigates how compressed timelines of state-building in Korea have systematically marginalized care, analyzing the structural temporal constraints that devalue care.

“A New Justice Discourse for Korean Society: From 'Fairness' to "Care'” (2025)  ↗ : This work proposes a paradigm shift from fairness-based distributive justice to care-based relational justice as a core principle to resolve structural inequalities in Korean Society.

“Care Ethics and Care Policies in South Korea” (2025)  ↗ : Published in The Bloomsbury Handbook of Care Ethics, this chapter critiques the instrumentalization of care for economic ends and calls for a ‘caring’ care policy rooted in the intrinsic values of care ethics.

“Does a Strong LTC System Benefit Societal Well-being?” (2025)  ↗ : A contribution to The Care Dividend (Cambridge University Press) that explores the societal and well-being returns of investing in robust long-term care systems.

■ Bridging Care Ethics: Scholarly Foundations & Global Dialogue

Beyond my individual research, I have sought to establish a solid academic foundation for care ethics in Korea by translating seminal texts. My work includes introducing and translating the works of prominent scholars such as Joan Tronto, Eva Kittay, Virginia Held, Daniel Engster, Maxine Eichner, and Iris Marion Young.

Currently, I serve as the Organizer for the CERC 2026 Seoul Conference ↗ . It is a privilege to host this conference as its first gathering in Asia, offering a meaningful space for global dialogue on care ethics.

■ Position

- Professor, Department of Public Administration, Korea University, March 2018-present

- Associate Professor, Department of Public Administration, Korea University, March 2013–February 2018

- Chair, Urban and Regional Public Administration Major, Graduate School of Policy Studies, Korea University, February 2013–January 2015

- Assistant Professor, Department of Public Administration, Korea University, March 2009–February 2012

- Research Professor, Center for the Reconstruction of Human Society, Kyung Hee University, December 2005– February 2009

- Lecturer, University of Chicago, 2004, 2005

■ Education

- Ph. D. in Political Science, University of Chicago, 2005 (Dissertation: “Women’s Luck? Women’s Choice? Toward a Feminist Theory of Equality,” Iris Marion Young, Chair)

- M.A. in Political Science, University of Chicago, 1999

- B.A. in Political Science & International Relations, Magna Cum Laude, Ewha Women’s University, 1996

■ Awards, Honors & Grants

- Selected as an Outstanding Academic Book (Sejong Books), Caring Democratic State, 2022.

- Editor’s Choice, “A Caring Welfare State in South Korea,” 2020.

- Selected as an Outstanding Academic Book (Sejong Books), A Critique of Multiculturalism in Korea, 2017.

- Selected as an Outstanding Academic Book, Normative Policy Analysis, The National Academy of Sciences (NAS), Republic of Korea, 2017.

- Korea Journal Award (Best Article in Social Sciences), Korean National Commission for UNESCO, Oct. 16, 2015.

- Research Grant for Senior Scholars, “Women’s Migration to Sex Industries and the Global Division of Reproductive Labor,” National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), Project Leader ($40,000), 2014–2016

- Excellent Teaching Awards, Korea University, 2013 (Spring/Fall), 2012 (Spring/Fall), 2010 (Spring).

- Research Grant, “Establishing Sustainable Development Goals,” Presidential Committee on Green Growth, Project Leader ($20,000), 2012

- Seoktop Teaching Award, Korea University, Fall 2011.

- Research Grant for Junior Scholars, “Gendered Migration and Global Justice,” National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), Project Leader ($30,000), 2011–2013.

- Best Researcher Award, Department of Public Administration, Korea University, 2009.

- Uam Academic Award (Social Science Division), American Studies Association of Korea, 2008.

- Dissertation Teaching and Research Fellowship, University of Chicago, 2004-05.

- Dissertation Grant in Women’s Studies, Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, 2004.

- Center for Gender Studies Office Fellowship (CGS Fellow), Center for Gender Studies, University of Chicago, 2004-05, 2002-03.

- Doolittle-Harrison Fellowship, University of Chicago, Summer 2004.

- Grodzins Lectureship Prize, University of Chicago, 2003-04.

- Korean Honor Scholarship, Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Washington, D.C., 2002-03.

- Graduate Fellowship, University of Chicago, 1999-2001.

- Residential Fellowship, International House of the University of Chicago, 1999-2000.

- Graduated Magna Cum Laude (Honors), Ewha Womans University, 1996.

- Undergraduate Honor Scholarship (Academic Excellence), Ewha Womans University, 1995–1996.

- Outstanding Junior Student Award, Ewha Womans University, 1995.

■ Books

- Caring Democratic State (Seoul: Parkyoungsa, 2022) [in Korean]. (Selected as an Outstanding Academic Book by Sejong Books, 2022)

- Normative Policy Analysis (Seoul: Parkyoungsa, 2016) [in Korean]. (Selected as an Outstanding Academic Book by the National Academy of Sciences, 2017)

■ Co-authored & Edited Books

- Crisis and Vision of Contemporary Politics (Seoul: Acarnet, 2020, co-authored) [in Korean].

- Care & Fairness (Seoul: Parkyoungsa, 2018, co-edited) [in Korean].

- Critiques of Korean Multiculturalism (Seoul: LP Press, 2016, co-authored) [in Korean]. (Selected as an Outstanding Academic Book by Sejong Books, 2017)

■ Book Translations

- Dolbom Jiwon Kukgwa (Seoul: Parkyoungsa, 2025, co-translated) [Maxine Eichner, The Supportive State (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010)].   

- Dolbom minjujuui (Seoul: Parkyoungsa, 2025, Revised Edition, co-translated) [Joan C. Tronto, Caring Democracy (New York: NYU Press, 2013)].

- Poyonggwa Minjujuii (Seoul: Parkyoungsa, 2020, co-translated) [Iris Marion Young, Inclusion and Democracy (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000)].

- Dolbom: Jeongui-ui simjang (Seoul: Parkyoungsa, 2017, co-translated) [Daniel Engster, The Heart of Justice: Care Ethics and Political Theory (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007)].

- Dolbom: Dolbumyunli (Seoul: Parkyoungsa, 2017, co-translated) [Virginia Held, The Ethics of Care: Personal, Political, and Global (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006)].

- Dolbom: Sarangui nodong (Seoul: Parkyoungsa, 2016, co-translated) [Eva Feder Kittay, Love’s Labor: Essays on Women, Equality and Dependency (New York: Routledge, 1999)].

- Dolbom Minjujuui (Seoul: Aporia Books, 2014, co-translated) [Korean translation of Joan C. Tronto, Caring Democracy (New York: NYU Press, 2013)].

- Gongdongche (Seoul: A-Books, 2010, co-translated) [Gerald Delanty, Community (London: Routledge, 2003)].

■ Journal Articles

[In English]

- “Multiple Temporalities of State-building and Care in South Korea,” Journal of Philosophical Investigations Vol. 19, No. 51 (2025): 115-136.

- “Caring Community in Zimbabwe: A Case of the Musasa Project,” Journal of Regional Studies and Development Vol. 33, No. 1 (April 2024): 173-211. (co-authored with Overson Musopero)

- “The Basic Income and Care Ethics,” Journal of Social Philosophy Vol. 52, No. 3 (Sept. 2021): 328-343.

- “Care Ethics as a Challenge to the Structural Oppression Surrounding Care,” Ethics and Social Welfare Vol. 15, No. 2 (May 2021): 151-166.

- “A Caring Welfare State in South Korea: Challenges and Prospects,” International Journal of Care and Caring Vol. 2, No. 3 (August 2018): 333-48. (Selected as the Editor’s Choice)

- “Is the Long-Term Care Insurance in South Korea a Socialising Care Policy?” Critical Social Policy Vol. 36, No.4 (November 2016): 1-19.

- “Feminism, Nationalism, and Beyond: A Note on the Comfort Women Movement,” New Zealand Journal of Asian Studies Vol. 17, No. 1 (June 2015): 1-20.

- “Feminization of Migration and Global Gender Injustice,” OUGHTOPIA: The Journal of Social Paradigm Studies Vol. 29, No. 2 (November 2014): 5-32.

- “Revisiting the Constitutionality of Voting Rights of Overseas Koreans,” Korea Journal Vol. 54, No. 1 (March 2014): 5-29. Co-authored with Hyun Im.

- “Marriage Migration between South Korea and Vietnam: A Gender Perspective,” Asian Perspective Vol. 36, No. 6 (September 2012): 531-563.

- “The Comfort Women System and Women’s International Human Rights,” Korea Observer Vol. 43, No. 2 (Summer 2012): 175-208.

- “Luck and the Gendered Social Structure,” Journal of Women, Politics & Policy Vol. 31, No. 1 (January-March 2010): 67-92.

- “Analyzing the Gender Division of Labor: The Cases of the U. S. and South Korea,” Asian Perspective Vol. 33, No. 2 (June 2009): 181-229.

- “Should Feminism Transcend Nationalism? A Defense of Feminist Nationalism in South Korea,” Women's Studies International Forum Vol. 32, No. 2 (May 2009): 108-119.

- “What Should a Good Feminist Theory of Equality Be? A Critique of Ronald Dworkin,” Korean Journal of International Studies Vol. 47, No. 5 (December 2007): 59-77.

- “Locating Feminism beyond Culture and Gender: A Case of the Family-head System in South Korea,” Discourse 201 Vol. 10, No. 1 (May 2007): 245-290.

- “Equality as an Evaluation of Social Relations,” Public Affairs Quarterly Vol. 20, No. 4 (October 2006): 313-328.

- “On Liberal Nationalism,” Korean Journal of Public Policy Vol. 19 (December 2005): 43-59.

[In Korean]

- “A New Justice Discourse for Korean Society: From ‘Fairness’ to ‘Care’,” Governmental Studies Vol. 31, No. 2 (2025): 3-30.

- “New Social Media Citizenship from a Republican Perspective: Focusing on Gen Z's Civic Engagement,” Korea and the International Society Vol. 9, No. 6 (2025): 837-867. (co-authored with Jae Wook Bae)

- “‘Caring Robots’? Care Robot and the Ethics of Robot Care,” Governmental Studies Vol. 30, No. 2 (August 2024): 31-59.

- “Global Citizenship Education From the Perspective of Care Ethics,” Korean Journal of Immigration Policy & Administration Vol. 7, No. 1 (June 2024): 167-187. (co-authored with Soyoon Kim)

- “Care and Welfare,” Governmental Studies Vol. 27, No. 2 (August 2021): 35-62.

- “COVID-19, Care Injustice and Care-inclusive State,” Korean Public Administration Review Vol. 55, No. 2 (June 2021): 55-80. (co-authored with Sunkyoung Park).

- “Public Perception on the Public Value of Care and State Roles for Care Justice during the COVID-19 Crisis,” Korea and International Society Vol. 37, No. 1 (Spring 2021): 117-152. Co-authored with Sunkyoung Park.

- “Caring Democracy: Beyond Liberal and Social Democracies,” Korean Women’s Studies Vol. 36, No. 1 (March 2020): 59-93.

- “Examining Dual Poverty Studies From the Perspective of Care,” Korean Social Policy Vol. 26, No. 1 (March 2019): 35-59. (co-authored with Youngmin Shin)

- “The Rights of Migrant Workers: Beyond the Dichotomy of Human Rights and State Sovereignty,” Legal Studies Vol. 42, No. 4 (December 2018): 133-176. (co-authored with Hyun Im)

- “Care as a Constitutional Value,” Korean Social Policy Vol. 25, No. 2 (June 2018): 3-29.

- “Care and Political Theory without Care,” Korean Political Science Review Vol. 52, No. 2 (June 2018): 203-224.

- “Public Policy for Migrant Women in Sex/Entertaining Industries,” Multiculture & Peace Vol. 11, No. 2 (June 2017): 83-112. (co-authored with Hyung Joo Song)

- “Women’s International Migration to Sex/Entertaining Industries,” Gender & Culture Vol. 10, No. 1 (June 2017): 45-61. (co-authored with Hyung Joo Song)

- “Analysis of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Using Martha Nussbaum’s Capabilities Approach,” Korean Public Administration Review Vol. 50, No. 3 (September 2016): 35-63. (co-authored with Esol Cho)

- “The Caring State: A New Vision of Welfare State,” Governmental Studies Vol. 22, No. 1 (April 2016): 1-26.

- “Why Should Refugees Be Protected?” Discourse 201 Vol. 18, No. 3 (August 2015): 5-33.

- “Immigration Policy in the Era of Multiculturalism: Policy Directions for Permanent Residency System,” Korea Public Administration Review Vol. 49, No. 1 (March 2015): 223-244. (co-authored with Ji Hye Ryu)

- “John Rawls’s ‘Human Rights’ and Humanitarian Intervention Policy,” Discourse 201 Vol. 18, No. 1 (February 2015): 69-100. (co-authored with Yoo Jin Choi)

- “Green Aid Policy and Democracy,” Journal of Peace Studies Vol. 15, No. 3 (September 2014): 63-89. (co-authored with Bobae Jeong)

- “Paradox of Multiculturalism,” Discourse 201 Vol. 16, No. 4 (November 2013): 67-95.

- “Just Wage, Just Society: Notes on a Normative Justification of Comparable Worth,” 21^st Century Political Science Review Vol. 22, No. 1 (May 2012): 23-45.

- “Foreign Aid Policies: What are they Problematic? On Thomas Pogge’s Theory of Global Justice,” OUGHTOPIA: The Journal of Social Paradigm Studies Vol. 27, No. 1 (May 2012): 67-99. (co-authored with Bobae Jeong)

- “Quality of Government and Impartiality,” Journal of Governmental Studies Vol. 17, No. 3 (December 2011): 3-18.

- “A Public Ethic of Care: Eva Kittay and the ‘Care Aid Program to Families with Disabled Children’ in South Korea,’” Korean Political Science Review Vol. 44, No. 4 (December 2010): 45-72. (co-authored with Moon Sun Kang)

- “Japanese ‘Comfort Women’ and Responsibility,” Asian Studies Vol. 53, No. 3 (September 2010): 79-108.

- “Publicity, Social Groups, and Deliberative Democracy,” Korean Political Science Review Vol. 44, No. 2 (June 2010): 5-27.

- “Dilemmas of Women’s Human Rights,” Korean Political Science Review Vol. 43, No. 4 (December 2009): 99-124.   

- “Is Polygamy Patriarchal? On the Mormons’ Polygamy Debate in the United States, 1862-1890,” Korean Political Science Association Vol. 42, No. 3 (September 2008): 99-120.

- “2007 US Immigration Reform: Process, Implication, and Pluralism in U.S. ” American Studies Vol. 39, No. 3(December 2007): 139-172. (co-authored with Sung-jin Yoo and Byong-Kwon Sohn)

- “American Republicanism in John Adams’s Defence,” Korean Political Science Review Vo. 41, No. 1 (March 2007): 211-234.

- “A Feminist Critique of the Luck Egalitarian Concept of Autonomy,” Korean Political Science Review Vol. 41, No. 3 (September 2006): 79-101.

- “Trends and Issues in Western Feminist Theory and Their Implications to Korean Feminist Scholarship in the Global Context” 21^st Century Political Science Review Vol. 16, No. 2 (September 2006): 27-50; Reprinted in Korean Political Science Association (ed.), Development of Contemporary Political Theories (Goyang: Ingansarang, 2006).

- “The Philosophical Origins of the Declaration of Independence and Jeffersonian Republicanism,” Korean Journal of International Studies Vol. 46, No. 2 (June 2006): 121-144.

■ Book Chapters

[In English]

- “Care Ethics and Care Policies in South Korea,” in Matilda Carter (ed.), The Bloomsbury Handbook of Care Ethics (London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2025).

- “Does a Strong LTC System Benefit Societal Well-being?” in Jonathan Cylus et al. (eds.), The Care Dividend: Why and How Countries Should Invest in Long-term Care (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2025).

- “Locating Feminism beyond Gender and Culture: A Case of the Korean-head System in South Korea,” in Andrew Eungi Kim (ed.), Contemporary Korean Society: An Introduction (Seoul: Korea University Press, 2017).

- “Locating Feminism beyond Gender and Culture: A Case of the Korean-head System in South Korea,” in Sungmoon Kim (ed.), Confucianism, Law, and Politics in South Korea (Rowman & Littlefield International, 2015).

- “Western Feminism and Korean Feminism,” in Jung In Kang (ed.), Contemporary Korean Political Thought (Lanham, Maryland: Lexington Books, 2014).

[In Korean]

- “Conversation—Care, Welfare, and Democracy,” in Juhyung Kim et al. (eds.), Politics of Care: How is a Caring Community Possible? (Goyang: Sawol-ui-Chaek, 2025).

- “Iris Young: Structural Injustice and Inclusive Democracy,” in Biwhan Kim et al., Crisis and Vision of Contemporary Politics (Seoul: Acarnet, 2020).

- “Carism: Care as a Political Theory,” in Hee-Kang Kim & Hyun Im (eds.), Care & Fairness (Seoul: Parkyoungsa, 2018).

- “Public Policy, Social Justice, and Normative Theory,” in Chong-Min Park and Moo-Kwon Chung (eds.), Current Issues in Korean Administration (Seoul: Parkyoungsa, 2009).

- “Minority Politics in U.S.,” in Association for Studies of American Politics (ed.), U.S. Politics and Government (Seoul: Myunginmoonhwasa, 2008).

- “Trends and Issues in Western Feminist Theory and Their Implications to Korean Feminist Scholarship in the Global Context,” in Korean Political Science Association (ed.), Development of Contemporary Political Theories (Goyang: Ingansarang, 2006).

(Selected)

■ Invited Talks and Colloquiums 

- “Philosophy and Tasks of Legislating Care,” GRI Strategy Seminar, Gyeonggi Research Institute, Suwon, December 10, 2025.

- “Centering Gender Equality in Transforming Care Systems – Insights from the Republic of Korea,” Keynote Speech, Building a Care Movement: UN Women & Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Hotel President, Seoul, December 1, 2025.

- “Constitutional Value of Care and Proposal for the Basic Act on Care,” Special Lecture for International Care Day, Webinar, October 23, 2025.

- “Dialogue on the Politics of Care,” (Moderator: Joo-Hyoung Kim), Network RE, Space Clique, Seoul, September 26, 2025.

- “Ethics of Care in Korean Society and Prospects for a Caring Democratic State,” 2025 Care Public Forum, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, June 26, 2025.

- “Caring Democracy,” Special Lecture for <Law in Contemporary Society>, Seoul National University School of Law, Seoul, June 4, 2025.

- “Presentation on the Basic Act on Care,” Expert Consultation hosted by the Office of Rep. Choon-saeng Jung, National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, Seoul, May 16, 2025.

- “‘Caring Robots?’ Ethics of Care Robots and Robot Care,” Science & Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), Webinar, April 16, 2025.

■ Conference Presentations

- “Philosophy of Care,” 2025 Senior Citizen Studies Conference, Korea National Open University, Seoul, November 20, 2025.

- “Care Responsibility and Democracy,” 2025 Human Ecology Conference, Seoul National University, May 31, 2025.

- “Is Care Bad for the Disability Movement? A Case of South Korea” (with Hyung Jin Ahn), 3rd International CERC Conference, Utrecht, The Netherlands, January 24, 2025.

- “Care and Fairness,” 2024 Korean Association of Women’s Studies International Conference, Seoul National University, November 9, 2024.

- “Caring Democratic State: Toward New Horizons,” Korean Association of Public Administration Conference, Yeosu Expo Convention Center, Yeosu, June 20, 2024. 

■ Research and Teaching Interests 

- Public Philosophy (Social Justice, Global Justice)

- Theory of the State

- Normative Policy Analysis

- Care Ethics

- Feminist Theory & Policy

- Minority Politics & Policy

- Migration/Immigration

■ Courses Taught 

- Graduate level:

Public Philosophy, Normative Policy Analysis, Care & Justice, Global Justice, Multiculturalism: Theory and Policy

- Undergraduate level:

On State, Public Philosophy and Ethics, Minority Policy, Normative Policy Analysis, Feminism