Kang Dong-suk
Kang in 2014
Born
Kang Dong-suk

(1969-05-25) 25 May 1969
Hapcheon, South Korea
Other namesDonald Kang
OccupationYachtsman
Known forFirst Korean to complete a solo circumnavigation of the globe in a yacht
Korean name
Hangul
강동석
Hanja
姜東錫
Revised RomanizationGang Dongseok
McCune–ReischauerKang Tongsŏk
Websitedonaldkang.com

Kang Dong-suk (Korean: 강동석; born May 25, 1969; a.k.a. Donald Kang) is a yachtsman and adventurer from South Korea.[1]

On June 8, 1997, he became the first Korean to sail around the world single-handedly, when he completed a circumnavigation on a 30-foot (9.2-meter) sailboat Pioneer 2 (선구자 2), covering over 70,000 kilometers in 3 years and 5 months.[2][3] In 1991, he completed the first single-handed sailing voyage of the Pacific by a Korean in his first sailboat Pioneer 1 (선구자 1), a 29-foot (8.7-meter) boat, travelling the distance of 11,700 kilometers in 7 months. After arriving in Korea, he donated the Pioneer 1 to the Korea Naval Academy.[3]

Circumnavigation route of Pioneer 2

The Republic of Korea Navy, in recognition of Kang's sailing achievements, awarded him the first ever Honorary Member of the Republic of Korea Navy (명예해군) title.[4] In November 1997, following his return from the sailing solo-circumnavigation, South Korean President Kim Young-sam invited Kang to the Blue House and awarded him the "New Korean" (신한국인) title.[5]

In 1999, as a member of a Korean climbing team, he attempted to summit Broad Peak in the Himalayas, the 12th highest mountain in the world.[6] The team had to turn back when a climbing member fell to his death.[7]

After his return from the Himalayas, Kang graduated from UCLA and worked at Deloitte as a public accountant.[8] In 2005, Kang served as the expedition manager for the Korean mountaineer Park Young-seok's North Pole expedition, supporting Park achieve an Explorers Grand Slam.[9] Park became the first person to climb all 14 Eight-thousanders and achieve the Explorers Grand Slam.[10]

Kang chronicled his sailing adventures in his book Yes I am passionate about the sea. He also gives frequent lectures about his experience and expeditions.[6] Sailboats (Pioneers 1 and 2) used by Kang for his sailing voyages are on display at the Korea Naval Academy and the Korea National Maritime Museum.[11] Kang currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, working as an accountant.[8]

Pioneer 2 on display at the Korea National Maritime Museum
Pioneer 1 on display at the Korea Naval Academy

Notable expeditions

YearsAdventures
1990-1991Single-handed crossing of the Pacific
1994-1997Single-handed circumnavigation
1999Broad Peak climbing expedition - 12th highest mountain in the world
2005North Pole expedition

Books

Recognitions

YearAwards
1991Honorary Member of the Republic of Korea Navy, 1st
1997Presidential Award - New Korean (Awarded by South Korean President Kim Young-Sam)
1997Honorary Citizen - City of Busan[12]
1997Korea Sea Scouts Jang Bo-go Award[13]
2014Goodwill Ambassador for Korea National Maritime Museum[14]
2023Goodwill Ambassador for Sancheong Expo[15]
2023Honorary Captain of Korea Maritime and Ocean University, 3rd[16]

References

  1. ↑ "강동석 Donald S Kang 姜東錫". Korean American History Museum (in Korean). 7 July 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  2. ↑ Jun, Chang (30 November 2004). "[스포츠종합] 강동석, 41개월간 한국인 최초 '단독 요트 세계일주'" [Sports News - First Korean solo-Circumnavigator Kang Dong-suk sailing for 41 months]. The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). Seoul. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  3. 1 2 Lee, Chang-Ho (17 December 2010). "People 강동석 - 내 인생의 8할은 도전과 모험이었이었다" [My Life was mostly Challenges and Adventures]. Sports Hankook Ilbo Daily (in Korean). Seoul. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  4. ↑ Song, Sung-Joon (19 June 2005). "명예해군의 결혼" [Hononary Navy's Wedding]. Seoul Broadcasting System Nightly 8 o'clock News (in Korean). Seoul. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  5. ↑ Lee, In Yong (13 November 1997). "김영삼대통령,'신한국인' 초청 오찬" [South Korean President Kim Young-Sam meets "New Korean" Awardees at Blue House]. Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Nightly News at 9 o'clock (in Korean). Seoul. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  6. 1 2 Ahn, Hyun-Duk (30 May 2017). "요트 세계일주 20년 맞은 강동석씨 "도전은 최고 스펙이자 삶의 밑거름"" [On 20th Anniversary of Solo-Circumnavigation, Kang on Life Lessons and Challenges]. Seoul Economic Daily (in Korean). Seoul. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  7. ↑ Jun, Jong-ju. "연세산악회 99 브로드피크 원정대" [Yonsei University Alpine Club Broad Peak Expedition]. Mountain Korea Magazine (in Korean). Seoul. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  8. 1 2 정영재 (16 March 2019). "길이 9m 조각배로 지구 한 바퀴 반 Fed 입사 '스펙' 됐죠" [Sailing around the world in a small boat helped build my resume]. 중앙일보. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  9. ↑ Yang, Sung-wook (10 January 2005). "이번엔 북극점··· 1% 가능성만 있어도 도전" [This time to the North Pole, even if There is 1% of Possibility]. Munhwa Ilbo (in Korean). Seoul. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  10. ↑ "Mr. Park completes the Grand Slam". EverestNews.com. 1 May 2005. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  11. ↑ "선구자II호" [Pioneer II]. Korea National Maritime Museum (in Korean). 16 December 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  12. ↑ "부산광역시 명예시민증 수여사항 공지" [Busan City Honorary Citizenship Announcement]. City of Busan Website (in Korean). 1 August 1997. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  13. ↑ "조수호, 요트세계일주 강동석씨 강연회" [Cho Soo-ho, Circumnavigator Kang Dong-suk Lecture]. Joongang Ilbo (in Korean). 5 July 1997. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  14. ↑ Oh, Sang-Joon (12 June 2014). "요트 세계일주 강동석씨, 해양박물관 홍보대사 위촉" [Circumnavigator Donald Kang becomes Goodwill Ambassador for National Maritime Museum]. Kookje News (in Korean). Busan. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  15. ↑ Kim, Yong-Kon (25 March 2023). "'인생은 탐험이다' 저자 탐험가 강동석, 산청엑스포 명예홍보대사 위촉" [Explorer Kang Dong-Suk appointed Sancheong Expo Honorary Ambassador]. Korea Broadcasting News (in Korean). Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  16. ↑ Seo, Myong-Soo (23 March 2023). "해양대, 제3호 명예선장에 강동석 탐험가 임명" [Maritime University appoints Kang Dong-Suk 3rd Honorary Captain]. Joongang Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 7 April 2023.
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