[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] Wonbulgyo Cheonsan Song Daeseong Wonjeongsa passed away on the 1st due to old age, Wonbulgyo announced on the 4th. Age at death: 85.
According to Wonbulgyo, the late was born in 1937 in Busan and served as the head of the Garakgyodang congregation of Wonbulgyo. In 2000, he was elected as a member of the Hoheop Suwidan, the highest decision-making body of Wonbulgyo, and in 2016, he was awarded the 'Jongsa (宗師)' Dharma title, the second highest rank in Wonbulgyo's Dharma hierarchy.
During his lifetime, he devoted himself to nurturing future scholars. He established the Daeseong Scholarship Foundation for the purpose of training Wonbulgyo clergy, and donated funds for the construction of the Wonbulgyo North American Graduate School of Seon Studies established in Philadelphia, USA. He also took the lead in establishing the Jinbaekgol congregation for military chaplaincy within Wonbulgyo.
Before becoming a religious figure, he served as CEO of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Vice Chairman of the Hanjin Group. He was recognized for his management skills, turning Hanjin Heavy Industries, which he acquired in 1989, from perennial deficits to profitability within three years, and was awarded the Bronze Tower Industrial Medal.
The late will be laid to rest at the Wonbulgyo Yeongmo Cemetery in Iksan, Jeonbuk, after the funeral at Samsung Seoul Hospital Funeral Hall at 6 a.m. on the 5th.
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