Donggyu (Alfred) Han

Donggyu (Alfred) Han is a China Researcher at ISW, specializing in the Korean Peninsula and its relations with China. Originally from South Korea, he studied in China and the United States, where he acquired Chinese language skills. He is a veteran of the Republic of Korea Army, discharged with the rank of sergeant, and served as an interpreter for US-ROK military exercises in the intelligence department.

Prior to joining ISW, he contributed to a congressman’s office in the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and the American Chamber of Commerce Korea. Alfred also served in various roles over three years with the Washington Leadership Program, supporting education and leadership development for young North Korean defectors and South Korean students interested in North Korea.

Recently, he participated in a South Korean government-funded startup market exploration program at the Korea Innovation Center in Washington, D.C. He has continued to pursue academic research as a North Korea Review Intern at the Yonsei Institute for North Korean Studies, focusing on international relations and the economic diplomacy of North Korea, particularly with China and Russia in recent decades. Alfred received a BA in International Affairs with a concentration in Conflict Resolution from the George Washington University.