[New School Network] ④ The Beginning of 'KS Network'... 'Yoon Government Core' Gyeonggi High School

71st Alumni Kim Dae-gi Chief Secretary, Cho Tae-yong Security Chief
President, Prime Minister, Major Business Leaders, Professional Baseball Players...
Power Elites Continue to Emerge Despite Changing Times

Editor's NoteSouth Korean society is a vast network society. Connections based on academic ties, regional ties, and blood relations often intertwine and influence actions. Recently, academic networks have drawn particular attention. With the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, names like Harvard University, Seoul National University Law School, and Chungam High School have been symbolically mentioned. While these networks sometimes remain mere acquaintances, they can also impact policy decisions. Asia Economy reports on the newly spotlighted high schools and their networks biweekly on Saturdays under the series 'New Academic Networks.' ?①Chungam High School ②Kyungmoon High School ③Mapo High School ④Gyeonggi High School

When discussing prestigious high schools in South Korea, it is hard to omit Gyeonggi High School, which celebrated its 123rd anniversary this year. Despite the ebb and flow of times, it remains one of the few high schools maintaining its brand. Under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, notable Gyeonggi High School alumni have risen to key positions, including Han Duck-soo, Prime Minister (Class of '63), Kim Kyu-hyun, Director of the National Intelligence Service (Class of '70), Park Jin, Minister of Foreign Affairs (Class of '70), Kim Dae-gi, Chief of the Presidential Secretariat (Class of '71), and Cho Tae-yong, Director of the National Security Office (Class of '71).?

They all share the common background of graduating from Gyeonggi High School and Seoul National University, leading the media to describe this as the 'revival of the KS (Gyeonggi High School, Seoul National University) line.' In fact, many alumni are active across various sectors of society, including politics, law, business, and academia.

Particularly noteworthy is that Kim Dae-gi, Chief of the Presidential Secretariat, and Cho Tae-yong, Director of the National Security Office?both born in 1956 and classmates from the 71st class of Gyeonggi High School?form the two pillars of the Presidential Office. Although their paths diverged, they reunited at the Presidential Office. Kim graduated from Seoul National University’s Department of Economics and entered public service after passing the civil service exam in 1978 (22nd class). Cho graduated from Seoul National University’s Department of Political Science and began his government career after passing the foreign service exam in 1980. Kim served as the Blue House’s Chief Economic Secretary and Policy Secretary under former President Lee Myung-bak. Cho served as the First Deputy Director of the National Security Office under former President Park Geun-hye.

Kim Dae-gi, Chief of the Presidential Secretariat (left), Cho Tae-yong, Director of the National Security Office (right)

In April last year, President Yoon described Kim as "an economic expert with political acumen and extensive public service experience, supporting successful state governance." Regarding Cho’s appointment, the Presidential Office stated on March 30, "An individual with diplomatic field experience may be more suitable than an academic for adding diplomatic details."

President, Prime Minister, Corporate Leaders, Seoul National University President, Architect, Professional Baseball Captain... The 'KS' Mark

Gyeonggi High School alumni describe their peers as exceptionally intelligent. It’s not just about academic excellence but also having the insight to read the times. Lee Sang-don, Honorary Professor at Chung-Ang University (Class of '66'), explained, "Alumni were primarily excellent students. Many were very smart. For example, in semiconductors, Gyeonggi High School alumni were pioneers in Korea." He added, "A characteristic of Gyeonggi High School alumni is that they do not necessarily flaunt 'I graduated from Gyeonggi High School.'" This underscores Gyeonggi High School as a cradle of 'power elites.'

Notable alumni from Gyeonggi High School. (From left) Han Duck-soo, Prime Minister; Dr. Kang Ki-dong, 'Semiconductor Pioneer'; Kim Kyu-hyun, Director of the National Intelligence Service; Kim Seung-yeon, Chairman of Hanwha Group; Park Jin, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Park Tae-hwan, former swimmer; Bang Si-hyuk, Chairman of HYBE; Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman of CJ Group; Shin Goo, actor; Oh Ji-hwan, LG Twins player.

The figure mentioned by Professor Lee is Dr. Kang Ki-dong (Class of '49), known as the 'pioneer of Korean semiconductors.' Dr. Kang graduated from Seoul National University’s Department of Electrical Engineering and went to the U.S. in 1958, earning his master's and doctorate degrees in semiconductor research at Ohio State University. Upon returning to Korea, he established 'Korea Semiconductor,' the country’s first semiconductor factory. Samsung Electronics acquired Korea Semiconductor and launched Samsung Semiconductor in 1978, which became the foundation of today’s Samsung Electronics.

Gyeonggi High School has produced many prominent figures in politics and government. Several alumni have served as prime ministers. (Honorifics omitted; listed in order of graduation) Including Han Duck-soo, Prime Minister under the Yoon administration, Lee Beom-seok (former Gyeongseong High School dropout, later honorary graduate of Gyeonggi High School in 1956), the first Prime Minister, Choi Kyu-ha (Class of '33), Park Chung-hoon (Class of '34, Acting Prime Minister), Jin Ui-jong (Acting Prime Minister), Lee Hoi-chang (Class of '49), and Lee Hong-gu (Class of '49) have all served as prime ministers. Ko Gun (Class of '52) also served twice as prime minister during the late term of former President Kim Young-sam and early term of former President Roh Moo-hyun. During the Lee Myung-bak administration, Chung Un-chan (Class of '62) served as prime minister, and during the Park Geun-hye administration, Hwang Kyo-ahn (Class of '72') held the position. The only president from Gyeonggi High School is former President Choi Kyu-ha.

In politics, the school has produced not only members of the National Assembly but also several party leaders. Lee Hoi-chang served as leader of the New Korea Party, the Grand National Party, and the Liberty Forward Party; Sohn Hak-kyu (Class of '61') was leader of the Bareunmirae Party; Ahn Sang-soo (Class of '64') led the Grand National Party; and Hwang Kyo-ahn led the United Future Party. The proportion of Gyeonggi High School alumni in the National Assembly is overwhelming. According to a report analyzing 4,398 members of the National Assembly from the Constituent Assembly to the 17th National Assembly on the 60th anniversary of the National Assembly in May 2008, 242 were Gyeonggi High School alumni (including Gyeongseong Jeil High School). In the 20th National Assembly (May 30, 2016 ? May 29, 2020), 13 members were from Gyeonggi High School, ranking first.

Main gate of Gyeonggi High School. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

The legal sector is no different. Including the first Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, Cho Gyu-kwang (Class of '39), Yu Nam-seok, Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, former Constitutional Court Justices Kwon Seong (Class of '56), Song Doo-hwan (Class of '63), Mok Young-jun (Class of '70), and Supreme Court Justices Lee Hong-hoon (Class of '61), Kim Neung-hwan (Class of '66), Park Si-hwan (Class of '68), and Ahn Dae-hee (Class of '69) have all elevated Gyeonggi High School’s prestige. In prosecution, many alumni, including former Prosecutor General Kim Jun-gyu (Class of '70), have played pivotal roles. In government, former Seoul Mayor Ko Gun, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Gong Ro-myeong (Class of '47'), former Seoul Superintendent of Education Kwak No-hyun (Class of '68'), former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kwon Do-yeop (Class of '68'), and former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy Kwon Oh-gyu (Class of '67') have brought honor to the school.

Gyeonggi High School alumni in economics and finance have grown alongside Korea’s economy. Jo Seok-rae, Honorary Chairman of Hyosung Group (Class of '50'), Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman of CJ Group (Class of '54'), Lee Gu-taek, former Chairman of POSCO (Class of '60'), Joo Jin-woo, Chairman of Sajo Group (Class of '64'), Kim Seung-yeon, Chairman of Hanwha Group (Class of '66'), Choi Byung-min, Chairman of Clean Korea (Class of '67'), Park Yong-man, former Chairman of Doosan Group (Class of '69'), Kim Ho-yeon, Chairman of Binggrae (Class of '69'), and Hong Seok-jun, Chairman of Bokwang Venture Capital (Class of '69') are among many alumni active in the economy. The Class of '68 attracted media attention in finance, including former Financial Services Commission Chairman Kim Seok-dong, former Dongyang Securities Vice Chairman Jeon Sang-il, former T-Stone Partners Chairman Min Yoo-sung, former Citi Financial Group and Citi Bank President Ha Young-gu, former Dongyang Life Vice Chairman Park Jung-jin, and former Hanwha General Insurance President Park Seok-hee, especially around 2011. Currently, many alumni such as Shin Chang-jae (Class of '68'), CEO and Chairman of Kyobo Life Insurance, Im Seung-tae, CEO of KDB Life Insurance, and Jung Geon-yong, Chairman of NICE Group, are active.

On another note, Kim Jong-sung (Class of '50'), a 'first-generation Korean modern architect' and the designer of the now-closed Namsan Hilton Hotel, is also an alumnus. Additionally, Kim Chan-jung (Class of '84'), the architect of 'PLACE1,' the KEB Hana Bank building located in Samsung-dong, Gangnam-gu, which won the 'Seoul Architecture Award' Grand Prize in 2018, is a Gyeonggi High School alumnus.

Group BTS.
Photo by Yonhap News

In culture and sports, notable alumni include Bang Si-hyuk, Chairman of HYBE (Class of '87'). Bang is the mastermind behind the global success of BTS, promoting K-POP worldwide. He graced the cover of the April issue of Billboard magazine and sparked interest when he appeared on the 2011 program 'Baek Ji-yeon’s Inside People,' stating, "Studying was the easiest." In sports, there is Oh Ji-hwan, captain of the LG Twins. Drafted first overall by LG in 2009, he earned the Golden Glove award 13 years into his career and is currently an active shortstop for LG. The school has also produced many professional baseball players, including Lotte’s Hwang Jae-gyun and Doosan’s Kim Kang-ryul.

Swimmer Park Tae-hwan (Class of '104') is also an alumnus. Park won gold in the 400m freestyle and silver in the 200m freestyle at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, silver medals in the same events at the 2012 London Olympics, achieved three consecutive Asian Games titles, and set Asian records. Veteran actor Shin Goo (Class of '52'), who remains active, also came from Gyeonggi High School’s drama club. The alumni theater troupe, Hwadong Yeonwoohoe, continues to perform regularly with mid-career actors from the drama club. In 2008, politicians such as Sohn Hak-kyu and Ko Seung-duk (Class of '72') made special appearances.

Despite producing many central figures in Korean society, Gyeonggi High School alumni reportedly do not boast much about their school. This can be considered a tradition. A representative from the Gyeonggi High School Alumni Association said, "Gyeonggi High School alumni do not talk much externally about 'people from Gyeonggi High School.'" He added, "Even without such explanations, they already play significant roles in our society. It can be called pride."

[History of Gyeonggi High School]

The March 10 issue of the Kyunggi High School Alumni Newsletter. The publisher is Jachul Koo (Class of '69), chairman of Yesco Holdings, who recently assumed the position of the 18th president of the General Alumni Association. Photo by Kyunggi High School General Alumni Newsletter

Celebrating its 123rd anniversary this year, Gyeonggi High School itself represents the history of Korean secondary education. Starting as a middle school and evolving through Hansung High School, Gyeongseong High School, First High School, and Gyeonggi Middle School, it rose to become Korea’s top prestigious school. It was established on the site of Kim Ok-gyun’s house in Honghyeon (紅峴, now Hwadong, Jongno-gu, Seoul), where prominent noble families of the Joseon Dynasty resided. The school motto is Freedom, Culture, and Peace. From the class of 1957 to the last generation entering high school in 1976, more than 60% of students advanced to Seoul National University. However, the abolition of middle school entrance exams in 1968 under the Park Chung-hee government and the implementation of high school equalization in 1974 shaped the current system. Even today, it remains a cradle producing key figures across various sectors of society.

The 18th president of the Gyeonggi High School Alumni Association is Koo Ja-chul, Chairman of Yesco Holdings (Class of '69). According to the March 10 issue of the Gyeonggi Alumni Newsletter, he was unanimously approved by applause at the 'Gyeonggi High School 2023 Annual General Meeting.' Since 2020, Chairman Koo has also served as head of the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA), contributing to golf promotion through youth development and expanding professional qualifying tournaments. His classmates include Han Young-jae, Chairman of Noru Holdings; Heo Il-seop, Chairman of GC Green Cross; and Park Yong-man, former Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Notable business leaders who served as presidents of the Gyeonggi High School Alumni Association include the late Kim Woo-joong, Chairman of Daewoo Group; the late Lee Soo-young, Chairman of OCI; and Kim Seung-yeon, Chairman of Hanwha Group. Chairman Kim Seung-yeon showed great affection for the school by donating 100 million KRW to the alumni association development fund in 2021.