GS Honorary Chairman Huh Chang-soo's Mother, Mrs. Gu Wi-sook, Passes Away at Age 96

Gu Wi-sook, the mother of Huh Chang-soo, Honorary Chairman of GS Group (Chairman of GS Engineering & Construction), passed away on the 3rd at the age of 96. Gu is recognized as a "quiet supporter" who played a bridging role between the two families, enabling LG and GS Groups to maintain their 57-year partnership.

According to GS Group, Gu passed away at 5:06 PM that day due to old age. Born in 1928 in Jinju, Gyeongnam, Gu graduated from Jisu Public Elementary School and Jinju Girls' High School. She was the eldest daughter among eight siblings of the late Gu Cheol-hoe, Honorary Chairman of LIG, who was the first younger brother of the late Gu In-hoe, founder of LG.

(Photo front row center, counterclockwise) Mrs. Gu Wisuk, Heo Changsoo, Honorary Chairman of GS Group, Heo Taesu, Chairman of GS Group, Heo Jinsu, Senior Advisor of GS Caltex, Heo Myungsu, Senior Advisor of GS Construction, Heo Jungsu, Chairman of GS Neotek. (Photo by GS Group)

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At the age of 17 in 1945, she married the late Huh Jun-gu, Honorary Chairman of GS Engineering & Construction and the third son of the late Huh Man-jung, founder of GS, thus becoming connected by marriage between the two families. The founder Gu had previously married the eldest daughter of Huh Man-sik, a sixth cousin of Huh Man-jung, in 1920.

After marrying Honorary Chairman Huh Jun-gu, Gu bore five sons: Huh Chang-soo, Honorary Chairman of GS Group; Huh Jung-soo, Chairman of GS Neotek; Huh Jin-soo, Senior Advisor of GS Caltex; Huh Myung-soo, Senior Advisor of GS Engineering & Construction; and Huh Tae-soo, Chairman of GS Group.

Following her marriage to Honorary Chairman Huh Jun-gu, Gu quietly supported the family throughout her life, managing household affairs. GS Group explained that the partnership between the Huh and Gu families, which began with Huh Jun-gu’s participation in the founding of LG in 1946, a year after their marriage, was sustained for 57 years as a beautiful collaboration, with Gu serving as a quiet supporter and bridge between the two families.

In particular, she emphasized to Chairman Huh Chang-soo from an early age the importance of cherishing bonds once formed, and encouraged a modest and simple character, practicing restraint and frugality. GS Group stated, "Chairman Huh’s down-to-earth personality, enjoying subway rides and walking short distances, is deeply rooted in his mother’s teachings."

After Honorary Chairman Huh Jun-gu passed away in 2002, Gu actively supported the establishment of the Namchon Foundation, which was founded by Chairman Huh Chang-soo who donated his private wealth to practice the virtues of living together taught by his predecessors and to carry on his father’s spirit of social contribution.

Meanwhile, the late’s funeral was held at Seoul National University Hospital Funeral Hall, with the funeral procession scheduled for 8 AM on the 5th. The burial site is Gwangneung Memorial Park located in Naechon-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do.

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