[New School Network]⑦ LG, Hyosung, Kyungbang Founders' Legacy: The Business Network Incubator 'Jungang High School'

Yoon Seok-yeol Government's Financial Chief Kim Ju-hyun Appointed as Financial Services Commission Chairman
Kim Jong-in, Chung Mong-joon, Huh Tae-soo, Choi Bul-am Active in Various Fields
Gothic-style Building, Red Brick 'Winter Sonata' Filming Location

Editor's NoteSouth Korean society is a vast networked 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 such as Harvard University, Seoul National University Law School, and Chung-Ang High School have been symbolically mentioned. While these networks sometimes remain simple 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.' ① Chung-Ang High School ② Kyungmoon High School ③ Mapo High School ④ Gyeonggi High School ⑤ Yeouido High School ⑥ Hyundai High School ⑦ Jungang High School

Jungang High School, located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, was established in June 1908 by the patriotic enlightenment organization Gihoheunghakhoe under the name Giho School. In November 1910, Honam Society, Gyounam Society, and Gwandong Society merged into Gihoheunghakhoe, which then changed its name to Jungang Society, and the school name was changed to Jungang School. In 1951, it separated from Jungang Middle School and was reorganized as Jungang High School. The school is operated by the Korea Jungang Academy, a school corporation affiliated with Korea University.

Jungang High School has produced many prominent figures who have left significant marks in various fields, including Kim Seong-su (1st class, former Vice President), Lee Hee-seung (2nd class, linguist and former president of Dong-A Ilbo), Ko Jae-wook (3rd class, former president of Dong-A Ilbo), Kim Yong-sik (4th class, former Minister of Foreign Affairs), Byun Young-ro (6th class, English literature scholar), and Jeong Jin-seok (41st class, former Cardinal). In government, notable alumni include Kim Yong-sik (22nd class, former UN Ambassador), Kim Jong-in (49th class, former National Assembly member and Minister of Health and Welfare), Choi Kwang-sik (62nd class, former Minister of Culture), and Choi Ki-young (65th class, former Minister of Science and ICT).

Kim Ju-hyun, the first financial chief of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and chairman of the Financial Services Commission (68th class), is also an alumnus of Jungang High School. Born in Seoul in 1958, Chairman Kim graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in economics and entered public service by passing the 25th Administrative Examination. He served in the Ministry of Finance (later renamed Ministry of Strategy and Finance) and held positions such as Director of Financial Policy Bureau, Standing Commissioner of the Securities and Futures Commission, and Secretary-General of the Financial Services Commission. He later served as president of the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation and CEO of Woori Financial Research Institute.

President Yoon stated in the nomination request for Chairman Kim, "Based on his diverse experience spanning public and private sectors, he possesses not only expertise in financial policy but also a deep understanding of financial markets and industries, along with stable crisis management capabilities. He is deemed the optimal candidate to effectively address pressing financial issues such as financial market stabilization, household debt management, and post-COVID-19 response measures, as well as to excellently carry out core policies for the advancement of our financial industry and economic growth, including accelerating financial innovation and capital market development."

Prominent figures from Jungang High School. (From left) Kim Juhyun, Chairman of the Financial Services Commission; Kim Jaeho, baseball player (Doosan Bears); Kim Jongin, Chairman of the Korea Development Strategy Institute; Huh Taesoo, Chairman of GS; Chung Mongjoon, Chairman of the Asan Foundation; Seung Hyunwoo, President of Seoul Women's University; Lee Inyong, President of Samsung Electronics; Choi Bulam, actor; Kim Changwan, singer (band Sanulrim); Park Jiman, Chairman of EG.

Alumni of Jungang High School are actively thriving in the business world, especially within the LG and Hyundai conglomerates. LG Group founder Koo In-hoe enrolled at Jungang High School in 1924 but returned home after completing the second grade and opened the Koo In-hoe store in Jinju in 1931, which became the foundation of LG Group. Huh Jin-soo, senior advisor of GS Caltex (63rd class), graduated from Jungang High School, and Koo Ja-kyun, CEO and chairman of LS Electric (67th class), Koo Bon-geol, chairman of LF (67th class), and Huh Tae-soo, chairman of GS (67th class) are classmates from Jungang High School.

Jeong Mong-jun (61st class), chairman of the Asan Foundation and sixth son of the late Hyundai Group founder Jeong Ju-young, and Jeong Mong-yoon (64th class), chairman of Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance and seventh son, are senior and junior alumni of Jungang High School. Notably, Jeong Mong-yoon studied together at Jungang High School with his cousin Jeong Mong-seon (64th class), chairman of Sungwoo Group. Although not from the Hyundai family, Kim Ju-yong, former president of Hyundai Electronics (49th class), is also an alumnus, and Lee Soo-ho, former planning director and vice president of Hyundai Heavy Industries (61st class), is a classmate of Jeong Mong-jun.

Kim Yong-wan, the 13th graduate and founder of Kyungbang Group, became the fourth president of Kyungsung Textile in 1946 and was appointed the first chairman of Kyungbang Group in 1970. He led Kyungbang until 1975 when he retired as honorary chairman. He served six terms as chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries. His eldest son, Kim Gak-jung, former honorary chairman of Kyungbang (33rd class), also graduated from Jungang High School. Other notable alumni include Jo Hong-je, founder of Hyosung Group (18th class), who established Hyosung Trading Company in 1962; Park Sung-yong, former honorary chairman of Kumho Asiana Group (41st class); and Cho Joong-geon, advisor to Korean Air and former vice chairman (42nd class). Park Ji-man, son of former President Park Chung-hee and CEO of EG (68th class), and Lee In-yong, president of Samsung Electronics (67th class), are also alumni.

In the pharmaceutical, steel, construction, and financial sectors, alumni are also active. Notable figures include the late Lee Cheol-bae, honorary chairman of Daewoong Pharmaceutical (40th class); Jeong Ji-seok, co-founder of Hanmi Pharmaceutical (51st class); Kim Young-jin, chairman of Handok Pharmaceutical (66th class); Baek Seung-ho, CEO and chairman of Daewon Pharmaceutical (66th class); Kim Won-gyu, former CEO of Samsung Pharmaceutical (67th class); and Yoon Jae-seung, chief vision officer of Daewoong Pharmaceutical (72nd class). In construction, Jang Se-ju, chairman of Dongkuk Steel Group (63rd class), and Lee Pil-seung, CEO of Poonglim Industrial (60th class), are prominent.

Seoul Jungang High School Front View, Inchon Kim Seong-su Award. Photo by Huh Younghan younghan@

In finance, notable alumni include the late Lee Gyeom-jae, former chairman of Daehan Life Insurance (20th class); Lee Dong-hoon, former chairman of Jeil Fire & Marine Insurance (57th class); Lee Kang-man, former vice president of Hana Bank (65th class); Hwang Seo-kwang, former president of Heungkuk Ssangyong Fire & Marine Insurance (66th class); and Kim Ju-yoon, former president of Heungkuk Life Insurance (62nd class). Yoon Yong-ro, chairman of Koramco Asset Trust and former president of Korea Exchange Bank (65th class); Ko Jung-seok, CEO of Ilsin Venture Capital (67th class); and Baek Seung-yeop, senior advisor at Sustainvest (70th class) also bring honor to their alma mater.

In politics, Kim Jong-in, former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party (49th class) and chairman of the Korea Development Strategy Institute, is a prominent figure who mentioned the 'moment of stars' related to President Yoon Seok-yeol.

Other distinguished alumni include the late Kim Ing-seok (17th class), former dean of Dongguk University Buddhist College who devoted his life to Buddhist studies; the late Lee Yong-hee (25th class), Korea's first art historian and son of independence activist Lee Gap-sung; and the late Yoon Han-sik (40th class), a textile engineer and former distinguished researcher at KIST who developed the world's first bulletproof fiber, all of whom left significant marks in academia.

Kaeuhoe Newsletter No. 181

Recently, Yoon Byung-gu, emeritus professor at Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine and director of Ritu Clinic (67th class), was awarded the 'Henry Burger' prize by the International Menopause Society. This academic award was established to honor Professor Henry G. Burger, former president of the International Menopause Society, for his contributions to the field of menopause, and is given to one medical scientist who has made outstanding research achievements and the greatest contribution to menopause studies. Other notable alumni include Lee Yang-bok, dean of the College of Creative Convergence at Sungshin Women's University (68th class), and Seung Hyun-woo, president of Seoul Women's University (68th class). Although not an alumnus, Kim Hyung-seok, a 'centenarian philosopher' and emeritus professor of philosophy at Yonsei University, taught at Jungang High School for about seven years starting in 1947.

In the media industry, notable alumni include Lee Woong-hee, former editor-in-chief of Dong-A Ilbo (40th class), former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and member of the 13th, 14th, and 15th National Assembly; Joo Myung-gap, former editor-in-chief of JoongAng Ilbo (47th class); and Cho Kang-hwan, honorary chairman of the Dong-A Ilbo Alumni Association (50th class); as well as Jeon Seung-hoon, head of the Issues and People team at Dong-A Ilbo's Content Planning Headquarters (80th class). In the legal field, notable figures include Kim Tae-hyun, former Supreme Court justice (33rd class); Shim Hoon-jong, former chief judge of Seoul Criminal District Court (47th class); and Ahn Dong-soo, former Minister of Justice (50th class).

In culture, broadcasting, and sports, Jungang High School alumni have also made remarkable achievements. The 'living witness of the film industry,' Namgung Won (45th class, real name Hong Kyung-il), graduated from Jungang High School. Namgung Won's son, Hong Jung-wook, a Harvard graduate and former National Assembly member, is chairman of Organica and is known for his autobiography '7 Acts 7 Scenes.' Other notable alumni include actor Choi Bul-am (49th class), beloved for 'Chief Inspector' and 'Country Diary'; musical actor Park Gun-hyung (87th class); singer Kim Chang-wan (62nd class); Hong Soo-hwan (60th class), former chairman of the Korea Boxing Commission and known as the 'hero of four attempts and five tries'; and Jeong Hae-sung (69th class), a coach instructor for the Korea Football Association and former manager of Ho Chi Minh FC in Vietnam.

The Jungang High School baseball team was founded in 1910. It won the Cheongryonggi National High School Baseball Championship in 1972 and the Hwanggeumsaji National High School Baseball Tournament twice in 1965. Currently, Kim Jae-ho, a player for the Doosan Bears in the professional baseball first division, is an alumnus. The soccer team was founded in 1918, disbanded in the 1940s, re-established in 1962, and won the National High School Soccer Championship in 1977. In 2019, the team won the President's Cup National High School Soccer Tournament for the first time since its founding.

The 6.10 Manse Monument on the grounds of Jungang High School. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

[From the Japanese Colonial Period to Modern History... '115 Years Since Establishment' of Jungang High School]

This year marks the 115th anniversary of Jungang High School, whose history runs parallel to Korea's modern history. Especially during critical moments such as the March 1st Movement and the June 10th Movement during the Japanese colonial period, figures from Jungang School played active roles. This remains a source of pride for Jungang High School alumni today.

The history of Jungang School began in January 1908 with the establishment of Gihoheunghakhoe (畿湖興學會), founded by patriotic activists from Gyeonggi and Chungcheong provinces. At that time, the country’s fate was precarious following the signing of the Eulsa Treaty (1905). National pioneers believed that fostering new education and culture was essential to nurturing future talents and strengthening capabilities, so they worked hard to organize societies and schools. Gihoheunghakhoe advertised student recruitment in newspapers in June of the same year under the name 'Giho School.' The opening ceremony held on the 20th at the society building in Sogyeok-dong, northern Hanseong, was attended by 90 enrolled students and numerous society members and citizens. However, financial difficulties hindered proper operation until 1915 when In-chon Kim Seong-su took over. Kim Seong-su became principal in March 1917, purchased a 4,311-pyeong school site at 1 Gyedong, Jongno-gu, and completed a two-story building of about 120 pyeong in November, relocating the school in December.

In 1919, Jungang School students actively participated in the March 1st Movement. They joined the demonstrations that began at Pagoda Park on March 1 and the second Seoul demonstration at Namdaemun Station Square on March 5. More than 30 students from Jungang School were arrested in Seoul and other regions. As a result, the graduation ceremony scheduled for March could not be held.

Jungang High School is also famous as the birthplace of the Korean Boy Scout movement. The global Boy Scout movement began in 1907 in the UK, founded by Army Major General Baden-Powell. In Korea, Jungang School was the origin. In October 1922, teacher Jo Cheol-ho (Gwan-san) formed the 'Joseon Boy Scouts' with eight students. Gwan-san taught, "You are the Hwarang of this nation. Become the vanguard to save the nation." However, the Japanese authorities pressured the group to disband, and the Joseon Boy Scouts were ultimately dissolved in the fall of 1937.

In the 2000s, the school pursued modernization. In December 2005, the Information Science Building was completed, followed by the gymnasium in February 2006, and existing school buildings were remodeled. In 2008, an artificial turf field was inaugurated. As a result, Jungang High School now boasts state-of-the-art facilities comparable to those in developed countries. Alumni describe it as a place of learning where tradition and cutting-edge technology harmonize. Architecturally, it is also known as a 'beautiful school,' popular as a filming location, including for the drama 'Winter Sonata.'

Principal Lee Yong-gyun of Jungang High School said, "Founded in 1908 by national pioneers who sought to save the country through education, establish the nation through education, and prosper the nation through education, Jungang High School is Korea's first privately established school." He added, "Please continue to show interest and offer much encouragement to Jungang High School."

Chairman Chae Jeong-seok (65th class) of the alumni association explained, "Founded by patriotic activists during the late Joseon period and Japanese invasion era with the purpose of saving and building the nation through new education, Jungang High School was a cradle of the independence movement. Over the past 115 years, it has produced numerous talents active in various fields, maintaining its status as a prestigious academic institution."