Jeong Byeong-seok Steps Down as 20th President of Chonnam National University

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Gwan-woo] Jeong Byeong-seok, the 20th president of Chonnam National University, completed his four-year term and stepped down on the 12th.

President Jeong held a farewell ceremony at Yongbong Hall in the afternoon, concluding his duties as president by exchanging farewells with faculty and staff while wishing for the university's endless development and the well-being of its employees.

He plans to return to his original department, the School of Law, to continue teaching and research.

At the farewell ceremony, staff members expressed their regret at his departure by holding signs with supportive messages and taking commemorative photos. They also presented bouquets and small gifts, wishing President Jeong a future full of honor and blessings.

The ceremony was attended by Kim Soo-gap, chairman of the National Council of Presidents of Public Universities (President of Chungbuk National University), Park Seong-hyun, chairman of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional University Presidents' Council (President of Mokpo National Maritime University), Jeong Seong-taek, the appointed president of Chonnam National University, current and former administrative professors and deans, and Ahn Young-geun, director of Chonnam National University Hospital.

In his farewell address, President Jeong said, “Our university has produced countless talents and has been both a witness and protagonist in upholding the precious values of democracy, human rights, and justice. Since every day we created was part of the university’s history, I am all the more grateful to the university family who shared this heavy responsibility.”

He continued, “Chonnam National University is a cradle of local talent, a source of youth culture, a hub of knowledge and technology, and a foundation for lifelong education for city and provincial residents. I will always hold the infinite love and trust of the local community in my heart and fulfill the responsibilities of a national flagship university. Therefore, I ask you to continue to cherish and support Chonnam National University without change.”

Since his inauguration as the 20th president in January 2017, President Jeong has been recognized for transforming Chonnam National University into a solid, future-oriented institution by focusing on initiatives such as reorganizing departments in advanced fields, maintaining top-tier research projects and funding, attracting campus-town type urban regeneration projects and regional innovation platform projects, and establishing the cultural campus including the completion of ‘Minju-gil’ (Democracy Road).

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