His research interests are the historical and political factors of foreign policy-making, international conflicts, and regional studies.

He was awarded the degree of candidate of sciences in history for a PhD thesis on the installation and consolidation of bureaucratic military rule in South Korea in 1977.

[5][6] Upon returning to the Soviet Union, he resumed his work at MGIMO, where he was elected dean of the School of international relations (1986), then promoted to the position of the first vice-rector (1989).

In 1993, he was awarded the rank of Ambassador, in 1995, he received the degree of doctor of political sciences (thesis: "Korean Peninsula Security Challenges: International and intra-Korean aspects").

His works made great contribution to historical analysis and Korean studies, research of international relations in Asia-Pacific Region in 1950s and later.

He also chairs an international research project «Gorchakov’s Readings», which is focused on studying diplomatic history and practice.

[11] Anatoly Torkunov He has received state awards of Russia, France, Italy, Poland, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Bulgaria, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Japan.