Michelle Kim is an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park, pursuing her study in International Relations and Economics. Michelle’s academic and professional interests center on international political affairs, East Asian politics, and diplomacy, with a particular focus on international political economy and human rights advocacy in the Asia-Pacific region. She is particularly interested in the economic development trajectories of North and South Korea, with a focus on understanding the structural, political, and international factors that contributed to South Korea’s rapid industrialization and economic growth in contrast to North Korea’s stagnation.

As an aspiring U.S. Army military intelligence officer, Michelle is committed to advancing her knowledge of security issues related to North Korea, including human rights, regional stability, and geopolitical strategy. She plans to apply her research and analytical skills in the fields of diplomacy, international political economy, and East Asian policy, with long-term goals that include graduate study and service in roles that bridge security and international cooperation.

At HRNK, Michelle is excited to join the team and support the organization’s research and outreach initiatives, including drafting content for daily news publications, managing media databases, and assisting in event coordination and translation. Her fluency in Korean enhances her cross-cultural research capabilities.