Cheongam College Former President Kang Myung-woon "Respects Opinions of Majority of Faculty and Board Members"

Board Meeting Requested for the 4th of Next Month... Seven Important Issues Including Director Dismissal Proposal to Be Addressed

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] In Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do, there are uniquely five schools established by Korean residents in Japan (Cheongam University, Cheongam High School, Hyochon High School, Gangnam High School, Woljeon Middle School).

This is a rare case in Korea, starting when former Cheongam University President Kang Gil-tae founded the Cheongam Academy in his hometown Suncheon over 70 years ago.

Kang Myeong-woon, former president of Cheongam University who succeeded his father Kang Gil-tae, said, "As one of the 8 million overseas Koreans, I lived feeling the importance of the nation and family," adding, "I am proud that Suncheon has five schools established by overseas Koreans, something you cannot see anywhere else in the world."

When asked by an Asia Economy reporter about his recent status and the election of the Cheongam Academy chairman, he covered his face with a mask, saying, "I wanted to do well after returning to my hometown, but I don't know what big mistake I made to end up like this."

Kang, 74 years old this year, appeared thin and gaunt but fortunately seemed to be in good health.

Having lived in Japan for 60 years and returning to Korea as the son of the founder of Cheongam University and its president, Kang’s later life has not been smooth.

Amid various rumors surrounding the Cheongam Academy board meeting held on the 29th of last month, curiosity arose about Kang’s thoughts.

He briefly replied, "I am not someone who should interfere or speak about the school, but since many directors have made decisions well, I respect that."

This implies that he accepts the election of Director Kang Sa-beom as chairman according to the will of the majority of faculty and directors.

At the Cheongam Academy board meeting on the 16th of last month, Chairman Kim Do-young, who was elected as chairman, dismissed President Seo Hyung-won and appointed Professor Kim as acting president, which sparked conflict among the board members. On the 29th, the board elected Director Kang Sa-beom as the new chairman and resolved to cancel the dismissal of President Seo Hyung-won.

As a result, Cheongam University has been embroiled in an unusual internal conflict with two presidents and two chairmen, leading to legal disputes and instability at the school.

Meanwhile, although newly elected Chairman Kang Sa-beom requested a board meeting on the 22nd, it could not be held due to a court ruling.

The Suncheon branch of the Gwangju District Court (Presiding Judge Yoo Jae-hyun) ruled on the 21st that the board meeting notified by Kang Sa-beom, a director of Cheongam Academy, should not be held as it was convened by someone without the authority to do so.

Regarding this, a Cheongam Academy official said, "There was a new request to convene the board meeting on the 22nd," adding, "The meeting is scheduled for the 4th of next month, where seven agenda items including the dismissal of Chairman Kim Do-young and this year’s budget for Cheongam University and high schools will be discussed."

The board meeting scheduled for the 4th includes budget proposals and supplementary budgets that must be approved at least 20 days before the legal deadline according to the Special Rules on Financial Accounting for Private Schools.

Therefore, the meeting on the 4th is expected to be led by Chairman Kim Do-young, and according to the court ruling, the directors are likely to request his dismissal anew.

A school official stated that if Chairman Kim does not present the dismissal motion at the meeting, "the other directors can request a reconvening of the board within 20 days and re-submit agenda items, and if refused, they can request approval from the Ministry of Education (Article 17, Paragraph 4 of the Private School Act, Special Convening of Board Meetings)," explaining the dismissal procedure.

It appears that resolving the issues surrounding the Cheongam Academy chairman and others will require a considerable amount of time going forward.

Kang, who said, "When I returned to my hometown Suncheon, I hoped it would become the center of Korea with Cheongam Academy at its heart," added, "I never thought of the school as a personal possession," and "Although my father founded the school, the pain endured by the family supporting it is indescribable."

He said, "I never said I would sell the school, but such rumors are circulating. I want to carry on the founder’s spirit and develop Cheongam University," and expressed hope that the Cheongam University situation would be resolved with the spirit of "helping and uniting in difficult times."

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