At Age 89... Lee Ju-hyung, Oldest Graduate Wearing Cap Nationwide, Top Graduate of Dongmyeong University Japanese Studies Department

Mr. Lee Joo-hyung posing in a small park beneath the main building of Dongmyeong University campus.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] The term ‘Noikjang’ (vigorous old age) truly fits here. An 89-year-old lifelong learner has topped his department at a four-year university and will wear his graduation cap this year as the oldest graduate nationwide.

He demonstrates the essence of lifelong learning, forgetting age in the era of the 100-year lifespan. Common sayings like “There is no age for learning” and “If you try, you can do it” stop in front of him and make us ask, “Is this really true?” He is the person who boldly shows such words through his life.

He is approaching his 90th year, known as Gusu (九旬) and Jolsu (卒壽), and in two years will reach Mangbaek (望百), yet he is still a university student.

Grandfather Lee Joo-hyung is graduating as the top student from the Department of Japanese Studies at Dongmyeong University, an experiential university that pursues challenge and practice through Do-ing.

During his studies, he received only one ‘A0’ grade, and all other subjects earned ‘A+’. With a total GPA of 4.48, that single grade is hardly a regret. He studied to his heart’s content, and his graduating classmates regard him with respect.

He communicated well with mostly 20-something young classmates, and his passionate enthusiasm and skills will surely bring him to the awards stage. Dongmyeong University President Jeon Ho-hwan has prepared a special award for lifelong learners.

Curious about why he insisted on returning to the ivory tower after turning eighty, he was born in 1934 during the Japanese colonial period and belonged to a generation of elders who had to stop their studies while navigating the turbulent waves of the nation and life. He said he had to study until he dies to resolve that lingering regret.

Mr. Lee laughed, saying, “I thought if I kept learning, dementia wouldn’t come.”

As for why he chose Dongmyeong University, he said, “I believe it is a prestigious private school imbued with the spirit and creativity of Kang Seok-jin, the founder of the former Dongmyeong Lumber, who greatly contributed to Korea’s export, industrialization, and modernization in the 1960s and 70s.”

He also hinted at another path, saying, “If circumstances allow, I plan to teach Japanese-related studies and volunteer by sharing my talents.”

His academic advisor, Gam Young-hee, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said, “He communicates well with young students with overflowing academic enthusiasm and good character,” and added, “I always call him ‘teacher’ because I want to emulate his entire life.”

President Jeon Ho-hwan praised him, saying, “He showed the world through his life an example of overcoming difficulties with passion and challenge and ultimately succeeding,” and raised his thumb, calling him “a person who has demonstrated lifelong learning beyond the second and third acts of life.”

President Jeon Ho-hwan plans to invite this ‘very special student’ on the 14th to present the award.

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