Birth of the 'Woon Seong Scholarship’

"In the 1960s when we were university students, all of Korea was poor. It was even harder for me to move to Seoul to study from the rural area of Hadong-gun, Gyeongnam, where there was no electricity. I had to wear a single school uniform for four years. In that environment, I was able to complete my studies thanks to the scholarship that previous seniors in the Department of Chemistry provided me. I always kept that gratitude in my heart and thought, 'I will definitely pay it back when I earn money.' Then, when Woon-seop made a donation offer, I readily joined him." (Kim Seong-gil)

"I also received scholarships in all my four years in college. I studied hard to receive the tuition exemption benefit given to the top student in the Department of Chemistry, and I never failed to be the top student in my department until I graduated. I graduated summa cum laude also from the College of Science and received the KU chief director's award. The scholarship was a great motivation for my studies." (Kim Woon-seop)

After graduating, they entered the chemical industry and succeeded as businessmen, never forgetting that their achievements came about because of scholarships. Knowing well how much scholarships can help university students who are struggling financially, they did not hesitate to donate. The driving force unique to businessmen was fully demonstrated in their actions, and the 'Woon Seong Scholarship' was born, named by incorporating one syllable from each of their names.

As a chemist and a businessman - Friendship built while walking the same path

They met in the Department of Chemistry as part of the Class of 1964, and so it has been 60 years since they became friends. During their time in KU, they did not spend much time together on the campus because they enlisted in the military at different times. Rather, they became closer while working in the chemical industry.

When asked what college life was like at the time, Woon-seop said, "When I was a freshman and sophomore, there were fierce protests against the Korea-Japan talks nationwide, so the school was always unsettled," and "there was no such thing as a fantasy campus life."

"The clubs weren't as active as they are now, and I didn't have the time to join any. However, when I look back on my school life, I remember the Korea-Yonsei Games. At that time, the Games were held at the (now defunct) Seoul Stadium in Jangchung-dong. We cheered hard, and after the games, we would go to the octopus restaurants in Mugyo-dong and drink makgeolli that our seniors bought us. It was so much fun.” (Laughs)

After finishing their university life, where they were, according to Woon-seop, “no different from today’s high school students,” both of them were on the job market. Woon-seop, who had good grades, became a researcher at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), which was unusual for an undergraduate graduate. Thereafter, he was scouted by companies and served as CEO of Hanong Polymer, Dongbu Fine Chemical, Dongbu Adeka, and Daeheung Chemical.

Until his retirement two years ago, he had been in the chemical industrial for a long time and had promoted the development of Korea’s chemical industry by taking the lead in the domestic production of various pharmaceuticals, pesticides and the like that had previously been imported.

Meanwhile, Seong-gil joined Kukdo Chemical and worked there for 10 years before starting his own business at the age of 39. With his innate sincerity and integrity, he steadily grew the company and has now made it a solid mid-sized company in the field of chemical materials. Seong-gil had been on the front lines of management for 40 years and handed over the management of the company to his son last year.

Paying the debt of the heart through donations

The two spent their entire lives as 'chemistry people,’ passionately working in the field, and are now finally taking care of their health and enjoying leisurely time.

Seong-gil said, "I feel very relieved that I can repay my debt of the heart through donations." He added, "I am very grateful to KU. I was a very poor student, but I never felt discriminated against or alienated due to the gap between rich and poor students during my university years. When I think about it, that may be the spirit of KU. If our donations can help on the journey of realizing KU’s spirit, there's nothing more I can ask for."

Woon-seop also said, “I wanted to help our younger students focus on their studies without worrying about living expenses," and "I hope that after they graduate, they will help others like us, creating a virtuous cycle." This is the real reason why Woon-seop founded the scholarship fund with his friend.

“We’re grateful that we can give something to others,” said the two schoolmates of old in their eighties, smiling as they said, “If you live with a grateful heart, you will continue to find things to be grateful for.” A great lesson can be learned today from these two old gentlemen with impressively bright smiles. If you can wisely realize the principles of life like them, and if you have a friend to share this wisdom with, then growing old can be pretty cool.