Busan's Chairman Jeong Cheol-won Donates 90 Million Won Prize Money for Yeongnang Poetry Literature Award

A Frugal Chairman Who Uses a Single Tissue Twice

Chairman Jeong Cheol-won, known as the "Chairman who uses a single tissue twice," and the Yeongrang poetry sculpture installed in the apartment complex in Busan that he constructed (Photo by Gangjin-gun)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-su] A chairman of a mid-sized company in Busan, who grew up admiring poet Kim Young-rang, has attracted attention by donating a large sum of money for the promotion of Young-rang.

According to Gangjin County on the 6th, Chairman Jeong Cheol-won (74) of Hyupsung General Construction Co., Ltd. in Busan decided to donate a total of 90 million won, 30 million won annually for three years from this year until 2022, after seeing reports related to the 17th Young-rang Poetry Literature Award.

Chairman Jeong's love for Young-rang can be felt from his more than ten visits to Gangjin, where the poet's birthplace is located. As a boy, Jeong Cheol-won, who was fascinated by Kim Young-rang's local and rhythmic poetry during his time at Masan Commercial High School, grew increasingly devoted to Young-rang over the years.

He installed sculptures titled "Sunlight Whispering on the Stone Wall" in two apartment complexes he constructed in the Busan area, spreading Young-rang's sensibility to the residents.

Chairman Jeong, originally from Geoje, Gyeongnam, graduated from Masan Commercial High School (now Yongma High School), then worked at a building materials store before starting his own building materials business in 1972. In 1983, he founded Hyupsung Construction and entered the apartment business, beginning with 32 townhouse units.

Hyupsung General Construction is a top-tier company ranked 56th nationwide (2nd in Busan) with a construction capability evaluation amount of 596.5 billion won in 2020. Despite this, he lives a frugal life, earning a reputation as the "chairman who uses a single tissue twice."

Chairman Jeong lives in a house in Yeongdo-gu, an underdeveloped area, which contrasts with the fact that wealthy people in Busan mainly live in Haeundae.

Even his desk notes are written on the back of calendar pages. He does not play golf, saying he will visit construction sites instead. None of the six affiliated companies have any children or relatives involved, and he has declared that he will not leave an inheritance to his one son and three daughters.

In particular, Chairman Jeong is known as an anonymous social contributor who quietly helps those in need, having established the Hyupsung Cultural Foundation in 2010 by donating a large amount of his private wealth.

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