Kim Dongchoon (M) was born in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, in 1959. He graduated from the College of Education at Seoul National University and later received a PhD in Sociology from the Graduate School of the same university. He was previously an editor for Historical Criticism and Economics and Society, a director of the Institute for Participatory Society , and a standing member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He was selected by Hankyoreh newspaper as one of the "top 100 people who will open the future of Korea" in 2004 and he received the 20th Danjae Award in 2006. At present, he is a professor at the College of Social Sciences, Sungkonghoe University, and an editorial advisory member for the Hwanghae Review.