Korea's '1st Generation Venture Legend' Passes Away... Nexon Founder Kim Jung-ju Dies (Comprehensive)

Jungju Kim, CEO of NXC

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Kim Jung-ju, director of NXC and founder of Nexon, passed away at the age of 54. He is regarded as a pioneer who pioneered the new market of the 'online game industry' and a first-generation venture legend.

NXC, the holding company of Nexon, announced on the 1st, "Kim Jung-ju, director of NXC who founded Nexon, passed away in late last month in Hawaii, USA."

The company stated, "We ask for your understanding as the bereaved family is in a state of shock and we cannot provide detailed explanations," adding, "He had been receiving treatment for depression for some time, and it appears to have worsened recently, which is very unfortunate." They continued, "We sincerely hope you respect the family's wish to quietly send him off."

Born in 1968, the late Kim graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in Computer Engineering and earned a master's degree in Computer Science from KAIST Graduate School. He quit his doctoral program after six months and founded Nexon in 1994.

In 1996, he introduced the world's first online game, 'Baram-ui Nara' (The Kingdom of the Winds), opening a new chapter in the domestic online game industry. Subsequently, he led Nexon to the top position in the Korean gaming industry by successfully launching titles such as MapleStory, Crazy Arcade, KartRider, and Mabinogi.

To grow Nexon into a global company, he established the global investment firm NXC in 2005. NXC, which is also Nexon's holding company, has focused on investing in digital ideas and future technologies and has actively pursued mergers and acquisitions. Notably, anticipating the 'blockchain era,' NXC acquired European cryptocurrency exchange Bitstamp and Korean cryptocurrency exchange Korbit, leading the domestic industry's future direction.

He also devoted significant efforts to social contribution projects. In 2013, he donated 20 billion KRW along with Nexon Korea and Neople to build the 'Purme Foundation Nexon Children's Rehabilitation Hospital,' Korea's first children's rehabilitation hospital, and continuously supported the hospital until its opening.

In 2020, he donated 10 billion KRW to Seoul National University Hospital to establish Korea's first independent pediatric palliative care center, and last year, he pledged 10 billion KRW to support a children's rehabilitation hospital in the Gyeongnam region, demonstrating his commitment to social contribution activities for children and youth.

He stepped down as CEO of NXC in July last year. At that time, he said, "I have served as CEO of NXC for 16 years since its transition to a holding company, and I believe it is time to entrust the role to a capable successor," adding, "I will seek ways to contribute to Nexon Company and our society from a freer position."

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