HAKSOO KIM 김학수

Graduation year: 1928

Major: Chemistry

Work & Experiences

  • President, The Korean Club, University of Chicago (1926)
  • Treasurer, International Students’ Association, University of Chicago (1926)
  • Chairman of Dept. of Finance, Korean Student Federation of North America (1927-1928)
  • BS Chemistry, University of Chicago (1928)
  • MS Physiological Chemistry, Northwestern University (1930)
  • Technician at Corn Products Refining Company, Pyongyang (1931)
  • Head of Technology and Manufacturing at 日本穀産工業會社, a Japanese grain processing company
  • Factory Head, Koryŏ Textile Company (1945)
  • Ran for office in the National Assembly in Yŏngdŭngp’o

Haksoo Kim was born in South P’yŏngan Province; he first arrived in the US in 1916, traveling from Shanghai to Los Angeles by sea. After completing elementary and middle school in Los Angeles, Kim moved to Chicago in 1924, earned a BS in Chemistry from the University of Chicago in 1928 and an MS in Chemistry from Northwestern University in 1930.

While studying in Chicago, Haksoo Kim devoted himself to his schoolwork while also partaking actively in student activities. During his time at the University, he received Honors for Excellence in Chemistry while also serving as President of The Korean Club, Treasurer of the International Students’ Association, and Chairman of Deptartment of Finance of the Korean Student Federation of North America. In December of 1925, Haksoo Kim attended the Student Conference of Pacific Nations at Purdue University; there, he discussed the “Korea question” and introduced Korean thought and ideas to students from elsewhere. Haksoo Kim served as President of the Chicago Branch of the American Chemistry Society in 1929, where he also hosted lectures. 

After receiving his Master’s degree, Haksoo Kim returned to Korea where he worked as a technician for the Corn Products Refining Company based in Pyongyang. He then served for fourteen years as the head of technology and manufacturing at 日本穀産工業會社, a Japanese grain processing company. Following liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, Haksoo Kim relocated to Seoul where he served as a factory head for the Koryŏ Textile Company (predecessor of the Taechang Spinning Mill) and ran for office in the National Assembly in Yŏngdŭngp’o.