In his research, Dr. Kyeong-min Kim investigated syntactic and interpretative properties of three Korean anaphoric devices, (i) third-person pronouns, (ii) VP anaphors, and (iii) null objects. He found that there is inter-speaker variation in the bindability of Korean third-person pronouns and given this finding, he demonstrated that VP anaphors are unanalyzable pro-forms, while null objects are derived from ellipsis. Dr. Kim believes that his doctoral study will serve as a useful starting point for any future research on the syntax of other Korean anaphoric items.

Dr. Kim’s research has been well received in publications, demonstrating the originality of his work. Additionally, his methodological and theoretical contributions are sure to have far reaching consequences. His work on Korean third-person pronouns has been published as a chapter in The Impact of Pronominal Form on Interpretation, a book that contains a collection of articles on syntax and semantics of pronouns by leading scholars in the field. He also has other work under publication in top-tiered journals. This is particularly exemplary given the fact that he is not a native speaker of English.

Dr. Kim's senior supervisor, Dr. Chung-Hye Han, calls his work "the most exciting dissertation that I have had the privilege to supervise in my career." 

Dr. Kim is a sessional instructor in SFU’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and also continues to work as a research assistant in the Experimental Syntax Lab, assisting with designing and running experiments as well as mentoring other members of the Lab.