Kang_Dong-suk
Kang Dong-suk (Korean: 강동석; born May 25, 1969; a.k.a. Donald Kang) is a yachtsman and adventurer from South Korea.[1]
On June 8, 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.[2][3] 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.[3]
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.[4] 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.[5]
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.[6] The team had to turn back when a climbing member fell to his death.[7]
After his return from the Himalayas, Kang graduated from UCLA and worked at Deloitte as a public accountant.[8] 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.[9] Park became the first person to climb all 14 Eight-thousanders and achieve the Explorers Grand Slam.[10]
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.[6] 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.[11] Kang currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, working as an accountant.[8]
