He was born in December 27th 1939 in 131-4 Daejung dong, Jinju Si, Korea. His father Duksoo Kang graduated Paichai Middle School and Tokyo Imperial University (now called Tokyo University) where he studied commercial science and mother was a graduate from Sookmyung Girl’s High School, a highly rare academically accomplished combination of parents at the time.
No one heard him speaking until he was 4 that his parents had to make sure that he didn’t become speech handicapped by hitting him to deliberately induce natural reaction ? crying. It was hard to get acquainted to him, but once he did, he was not afraid of show his love, nevertheless quiet most times and patient.
In 1944, his family moved to Busan, a major southern coastal city of Korea, as his father retired from the director of Hamyang Governmental Monopoly Office. When he was 8 years old (1946), he entered Sungji Primary School, located in Seomeon, Jingu, Busan, but transferred to Dongpyung Primary School nearer from his Kaya Ri home in 1948. Toiled for academic desire, he started studying in a small factory used by the Japanese and building a temporary schoolhouse until soldiers and refugees retreating to the south occupied the scene via the outbreak of Korean War, leaving him no choice but to study outside under shades in summer and under self-made tent when raining or snowing.
His household was overall financially well off compared to others, thanks to his father’s successful distributing agency of tobacco, salt and flour and his mother taking good care of domestic duties. As his talent in art began burgeoning, he excelled and represented his school in the national art competition.