On the day when he successfully defended his dissertation to obtain the doctorate, Ko Dong Hyun said he felt grateful and proud.

“The journey (of studying and obtain the doctorate degree) not only shows my maturity in discipline, but also helps enrich my life experience,” said Ko, the first South Korean man obtaining a doctorate from the University of Economics, a member school of Hanoi National University.

Ko Dong Hyun, from Seoul, South Korea, received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Labor and Employment Relations from Rutgers University (New Jersey, the US). In 2017, while working for Dongduk Women’s University in South Korea, he came to Vietnam for the first time and attended the ROK Day in Quang Nam province.

Visiting many localities in Vietnam, such as Hanoi, Ha Long, Hai Phong and HCM City, the South Korean man was impressed by the local educational system and disciplinary potential.

Prior to that, during the days of studying in the US, Ko had a close Vietnamese friend.

“He taught me a lot about the customs and warmth of Vietnamese people. Through him, I can see the kindness and generosity that are typical of Vietnamese culture. I felt a natural connection to this country even before I set foot here,” he said.

“The connection and love prompted me to think about pursuing the PhD study in Vietnam,” he said.

“My dream was to become a Minister of Labor. I wanted to research labor and employment policies in Vietnam, because I saw the potential of the dynamic labor market and the strong, incredible development of the economy. This urged me to come here, though difficulties were anticipated and the path was unconventional,” he explained.

After submitting resignation letter, he ordered an air ticket to Hanoi amid his friends’ worries, even though he had received invitations from universities in more developed countries, including the US.

“My friends believed that it was an adventurous decision,” he recalled.

However, his decision was supported by his parents, which helped him overcome all difficulties.

In October 2018, Ko officially began studying for a PhD in Economics at the University of Economics of the Hanoi National University, which had an environment that fit his studies.

Ko said he did not face difficulties in Vietnam. The experience he faced after living and traveling to many countries helped him quickly adapt to new conditions.

He also did not face language barriers, because lecturers and students used English. Therefore, Ko could concentrate on his research and disciplinary goals.

Ko believes that Vietnam is solving problems related to labor relations and employment well, but is still facing great challenges due to urbanization and pollution. Green growth and sustainable development are important things Vietnam needs to do to solve problems.

Therefore, his research focuses on green growth and sustainable development. He has done in-depth analyses about South Korea’s green growth policy and policy impact on Vietnam. 

In 2022-2024, Ko had many research works published in international journals. He is completing some books, which are expected to be published in early 2025.

Currently, Ko works as a project manager at the Center for International Educational Technology Cooperation, belonging to the University of Foreign Languages under Hanoi National University. He also gives lectures on subjects related to South Korea’s economy and politics.

Finishing his PhD study in Vietnam, he believes that this was not only a personal achievement but also a testament to the power of dreams. “Vietnam became my second home and the place that shaped the next path in my life,” he said.

Ko said that he has changed his goal, and now plans to return to Korea and work in an organization related to the environment or climate, such as the Ministry of Environment.

“This will be a long path, but I hope that I can apply the knowledge I receive in Vietnam in my work in South Korea, and at the same time contribute to promoting deeper cooperation between the two countries in the fields of climate change, sustainable development, and green growth,” Ko said.

Thuy Nga