Kwak Seung-Jun

Kwak Seung-Jun

Academic career Kwak began his academic career in 1994 as a principal researcher at the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements. He joined Korea University’s College of Political Science and Economics as a professor in 1995. "Measuring the Economic Benefits of Recycling: The Case of the Waste Agricultural Film in Korea" (2004), with Seung-Hoon Yoo and Chan-Jun Kim.

Government service and political involvement Kwak played a central role in public policy under President Lee Myung-bak. His government service includes:

Member of the 17th Presidential Transition Committee (2007–2008). Senior Secretary to the President for State Affairs Planning (2008). Chairman of the Presidential Council for Future and Vision (2009–2013).

At the Presidential Council for Future and Vision, his policy focus areas included clamping down on education expenditures, growing the semiconductor industry, and strengthening commercial ties with the UAE.

In 2011, Kwak publicly advocated for the National Pension Service to take a more active role in shareholder governance to promote corporate reform, a move that stirred national debate.

In 2017, during the 19th South Korean presidential election, Kwak briefly joined the campaign of former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. He withdrew from the campaign before Ban's own departure from the race.

Media and broadcasting In January 2012, Kwak made a guest appearance on a political satire skit of Saturday Night Live Korea Season one, episode 8.

After returning to his professorship at Korea University, Kwak became a familiar face on television. From November 1, 2012, to December 23, 2020, he hosted the political education variety show Kwak Seung-jun's Cool Kkadang (:ko:쿨까당) on tvN, known for discussing social and policy issues with humor and accessibility.

In May 2021, he hosted Kwak's LP Bar , a late-night talk show styled as a nostalgic LP music lounge. The show ended after a short two-month run.

Other roles Kwak has held various institutional and advisory positions: Director of Policy Planning, Global Strategies Institute Member, City Planning Committee, Seoul Metropolitan Government (2006) Member, Management Innovation Committee, Korea Housing Finance Corporation (2005) Editor-in-chief, Korea University Newspaper (2002–2007)

Publications Kwak has written or contributed to several books and reports, including: The Emissions Trading System (1998) North Korea in Transition: Prospects for Economic and Social Reform (2000) Applying Economics to the Environment (2007)

Recognition He received the Best Paper Award from the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements in 2003.