Funeral Ceremony for the Late Kim Hyuk-jong, Gwangju University President, on the Morning of the 14th as School Chief

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The funeral service for Kim Hyuk-jong, president of Gwangju University, will be held as a school funeral at 9 a.m. on the 14th.

According to Gwangju University on the 12th, the funeral committee chairs are Min Young-don, president of Chosun University, and Kim Gap-yong, dean of the graduate school at Gwangju University.

The funeral committee consists of 87 members, including school department heads, presidents from the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions who had close ties with the deceased, as well as figures from politics, media, and various sectors of society.

The funeral hall is set up on the 2nd floor of the VIP Funeral Town in Seo-gu, Gwangju. The burial site is the family graveyard in Jinwol-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju.

The late President Kim earned a master's degree in education from Western Illinois University and a doctorate in education from Kansas State University, earning a reputation as a "prepared president."

In particular, since his inauguration as president in May 2003, he steadily realized the university development strategies he proposed, showing remarkable growth based on specialized practical education focused on employment and entrepreneurship training.

In 2004, he transitioned Gwangju University from an industrial university to a general university, focusing on strengthening the university's substance and internal stability. He achieved high results by promoting the development of advanced departments, modernization of curricula, fostering key departments, and completing educational infrastructure.

He led the realization of student-centered educational values and emphasized communication with students. From his first autumn festival after inauguration, he voluntarily served as the head chef for five years, opening the "President's Tavern."

The image of the late president wearing an apron and chef's hat, personally serving food and greeting students one by one, attracted significant attention at the time.

The proceeds from the "President's Tavern" were donated to residents in the Yeongnam region who suffered great damage from Typhoon Maemi in 2003. He also contributed to social service efforts by donating for sending rice for unification in 2005, helping North Korean compatriots in 2006, and aiding victims of Typhoon Nari in 2007.

After assuming the presidency, he introduced the nation's first industrial internship employment support system and entrepreneurship support programs at universities nationwide.

He contributed to regional development by creating a consortium project to improve job skills for small and medium-sized enterprise workers and establishing a lifelong learning-centered university for adult learners.

He actively engaged in external activities and social contributions as a member of the Ministry of Justice Inspection Committee, chairman of the Gwangju and Jeonnam Regional University Presidents' Council, member of the 5.18 Democratization Movement Records UNESCO World Heritage Registration Promotion Committee, advisory member of the Gwangju and Jeonnam Development Institute, and director of the Korean Council for University Education.

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