Kim Jun-yop, a renowned historian on China and North Korea and the former president of Korea University, died Tuesday at a hospital in Seoul. He was 90.

Born in Ganggye, North Pyongyang Province in 1920, Kim was one of Korean independence fighters organized by the Gwangbok Association to end Japanese colonial rule.

After Korea’s liberation from Japan, he attended National Central University ― later renamed Nanjing University ― majoring in history.

He served as professor at Korea University from 1958 to 1982 and also as visiting professor at Harvard University in 1958 and then again in Princeton University in 1969, respectively.

The historian also served as chairman of the Institute of Social Sciences in Korea and chairman of Dae Woo Educational Foundation. Two years ago, Kim won the Korea Foundation Award for his lifelong dedication in establishing research institutes for Korean history in major universities in China.

Kim is survived by his wife and his son Hong-kyu.

(christory@heraldcorp.com)