'Pioneer of Korean Geology' Jeong Chang-hee, Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University, Passes Away

New Standard Proposed for Late Paleozoic Sedimentary Layers
Scholar Devoted Lifetime to Stratigraphic Spatiotemporal Relationships

Jung Chang-hee, Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University, was a pioneer of Korean geology. He proposed new standards for the Late Paleozoic sedimentary layers and studied the spatiotemporal relationships of strata. All investigations were conducted directly in the field. He believed there were limitations to relying solely on existing papers. "A geologist must go out into the field to conduct surveys. They must hold a hammer, break rocks, and create geological maps themselves. Geological maps made by classical methods become the manuals of the discipline and the basis for scholars' papers."

Professor Jung, who rewrote the history of the land while traversing various parts of the Korean Peninsula, passed away on the 15th at the age of 102. He was born in 1920 in Cheolsan-gun, Pyeonganbuk-do, graduated from Daedong Technical School in Pyongyang, and earned a Ph.D. in science from Hokkaido University in Japan. He served as the head of geology at the Geological and Mining Research Institute, which integrated the Geological Survey, Fuel and Ore Research Institute, and Mining Technology Training Center, leading the stratigraphic research of Korean strata. Over about two years, he surveyed 127 mines and 9 coal fields. The related achievements were detailed in the 1967 publication "Mineral Resources of Korea," which is still regarded as highly valuable data on Korean mineral resources.

In 1952, he moved to Seoul National University as a professor in the Department of Geology, focusing on stratigraphy and dedicating himself to training future scholars. Notably, in 1954, he published the first geology paper at Seoul National University, laying the foundation for geological research. He also conducted government-led research. In the 1961 "Taebaek Mountain Area Underground Resource Survey," he led the investigation team responsible for District 5 of the Samcheok coal field. The significant achievements from this project led to the expansion of geological map surveys to the entire national territory. Subsequently, he participated as the principal researcher in geological map surveys of Daejeon, Gwangju, Mokpo, Seoul, Seosan, Yeosu, and Chuncheon, contributing to the publication of the first 1:250,000 scale geological map covering all of South Korea in 1973.

He also adapted the geological system established during the Japanese colonial period to fit Korean realities. In 1969, he designated the Samcheok coal field as a new marker for the Upper Paleozoic sedimentary layers of southern Korea and subdivided the stratigraphy into the Gomok Group, Cheoram Group, and Hwangji Group. His research replaced the term "Pyeongan System" with "Pyeongan Supergroup." This has become the standard stratigraphy for the Upper Paleozoic layers today, followed by most researchers. In recognition of his contributions, he received the Unam Geological Award, the Korea Academy of Science and Technology Award for Publications, and the Order of the Mugunghwa Medal.

He is survived by his sons Jung Na-yeol and Na-hyun, daughters Na-hee and Na-mi, and sons-in-law Kim Ho-cheol and Jang Yoo-jin. The funeral is being held at the Seoul National University Hospital funeral hall. The funeral procession will begin at 8 a.m. on the 18th.

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