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Kang Dong-suk
Kang in 2014
Born	Kang Dong-suk (1969-05-25) 25 May 1969 (age 55) Hapcheon, South Korea
Other names	Donald Kang
Occupation	Yachtsman
Known for	First Korean to complete a solo circumnavigation of the globe in a yacht
Korean name
Hangul	강동석
Hanja	姜東錫
Revised Romanization	Gang Dongseok
McCune–Reischauer	Kang Tongsŏk
Website	donaldkang.com

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

On 8 June 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. 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.

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. 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.

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. The team had to turn back when a climbing member fell to his death.

After his return from the Himalayas, Kang graduated from UCLA and worked at Deloitte as a public accountant. 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. Park became the first person to climb all 14 Eight-thousanders and achieve the Explorers Grand Slam.

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. 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. Kang currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, working as an accountant.

Notable expeditions

Books

• 인생은 탐험이다 Life is Exploration 2022
• 그래 나는 바다에 미쳤다 Yes, I am passionate about the sea 1997

Recognitions

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. ^ 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. ^ 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. ^ 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.

External links

• Official website
• Pioneer 2 page on Korea National Maritime Museum website
• Solo-circumnavigation arrival in Busan, Korea covered live by Seoul Broadcasting System in 1997, on YouTube

• 1969 births
• Living people
• South Korean emigrants to the United States
• Single-handed sailors
• Single-handed circumnavigating sailors
• Circumnavigators of the globe
• South Korean sailors