Dongguk University
As a junior at Dongguk University in , Kang batted .277 with 17 RBI, becoming a full-time starter behind the plate. He became the first player of Dongguk University to hit for the cycle, doing so on April 8, 2000. In July 2000, Kang was selected for the South Korea collegiate national team and competed in the Korea–USA Baseball Championship Series.