Editorial Team
Published on 27 May 2025
Korea University (President Kim Dong-One) held its 120th Anniversary Ceremony on Monday, May 5 at 10:30 a.m. at the Central Plaza of the Humanities and Social Sciences area of its Seoul campus. The event was co-hosted by the Korea University Foundation (Chairman Kim Jae-ho) and the Korea University Alumni Association (Chairman Seung Myung-ho).
The ceremony celebrated the university’s 120-year legacy and unveiled its vision for the future. The program included:
Former figure skater and Olympic gold medalist Kim Yuna attended the event, stating, “I hope Korea University continues to nurture creative and proactive individuals who take the lead in the world.” She continued, “Korea University has just completed its ‘short program’ and is now beginning its ‘free skate.’ Let’s cheer it on as it takes even greater leaps forward,” adding a special touch of meaning to the occasion.
In his congratulatory address, Chairman Kim Jae-ho of Korea University Foundation stated, “Korea University must now go beyond serving the nation and become a university that is indispensable to the future of humanity.” He added, “We are steadily preparing for this future through initiatives such as the construction of the Natural Science Central Plaza, the recruitment of top talent in advanced fields, and the development of a digital campus. I urge every member of the KU community to contribute to fostering creative talent—our university’s core mission.”
President Kim Dong-One emphasized, “Korea University’s 120-year history is deeply intertwined with the history of modern Korea.” He continued, “Guided by our founding philosophy of cultivating talent to save the nation, KU has proudly fulfilled its role as a vital institution in Korean society. Now, as we mark this historic milestone, we are prepared to take a bold leap toward becoming a university that contributes meaningfully to the future of humanity.
Seung Myung-ho, Chairman of the Korea University Alumni Association, remarked, “Korea University’s current prestige is the result of the dedication and passion of its students, faculty, staff, and alumni.” He continued, “This is supported by the unwavering bond and deep affection of alumni who continue to love and support their alma mater. The KU Alumni Association will remain committed to serving as a strong bridge between the university and society, upholding the pride and traditions we have built together. We are also preparing to take a bold step into the future.”
At the event, the Proud KU Alumni Award was presented to Park Ki-seok, Chairman of Sigong Tech; Heo Gu-yeon, President of KBO; and Kim Nam-gu, Chairman of Korea Investment Holdings.
Park Ki-seok (German Literature, Class of 1969), Chairman of Sigong Tech, founded i-Scream media—Korea’s first digital education technology company—thereby pioneering the nation’s digital and AI-driven education landscape. Heo Gu-yeon (Law, Class of 1972), President of KBO and a long-time baseball commentator, has played a key role in the development of Korean baseball. Under his leadership, the KBO League surpassed 10 million annual spectators for the first time in its history. Kim Nam-gu (Business Administration, Class of 1983), Chairman of Korea Investment Holdings, has demonstrated outstanding leadership in investment banking, spearheading innovation in the financial sector—most notably through the acquisition of Korea Investment & Securities in 2005.
