"'Generous Hipster' Chairman Lee Soo-young... Donates 76.6 Billion Won to KAIST"

On the 23rd, the chairman of Gwangwon Industry held a donation agreement ceremony for a development fund at the KAIST Daejeon headquarters and announced the establishment of the 'Lee Soo-young Science Education Foundation' by donating real estate worth 67.6 billion KRW. July 23, 2020 [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hana Na] Lee Soo-young, chairman of Gwangwon Industry (83), became a hot topic as a 'generous hipster' by donating 76.6 billion KRW to KAIST.

On the 30th, Lee Soo-young, the second guest of the 'Hipsters of Joseon' special on tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block,' appeared on the show.

Lee, a businessman who graduated from Seoul National University Law School, said he was born during the Japanese colonial period and experienced Japan's atrocities, the sorrow of having no country, and the Korean War.

He explained that after the Korean War, when people survived on minimal food, seeing his mother helping and giving to others made him vow to live helping others like his mother.

On the broadcast, Lee revealed the process of building his fortune. Originally working as a reporter, he was dismissed from his job in 1980 and started dairy farming with 5 million KRW severance pay and a loan. Later, purchasing a department store in Yeouido led to rental income, which made him wealthy.

He added that he increased his wealth through a river sand excavation business in 1988 and said the results were due to luck and effort.

Also, although he had no prior connection with KAIST, after seeing former KAIST president Suh Nam-pyo emphasize the importance of science, he donated 76.6 billion KRW to KAIST with the belief that 'science is national power.'

On the day’s broadcast, Lee also donated the 1 million KRW prize money he won by answering quiz questions correctly, creating a warm atmosphere.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.