[New School Lineage]⑧ From Choi Tae-won and Lee Woong-yeol to Lee Dong-gwan... Shinil High School Rooted in Half a Century of Politics and Business Circles

Focus on the Appointment of Special Advisor Lee Dong-gwan as Broadcasting Commissioner
Business Leaders Including Lee Woong-yeol, Chey Tae-won, Koo Bon-sik, and Shin Dong-won
Founded on Protestantism... Also Famous as a Prestigious Baseball High School

Editor's NoteSouth Korean society is a vast networked society. Connections through school ties, regional ties, and blood relations often intertwine and influence actions. Recently, particular attention has been drawn to school networks. With the inauguration of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, names such as Harvard University, Seoul National University Law School, and Chungam High School have been symbolically mentioned. While some networks remain mere acquaintances, others impact policy decisions. Asia Economy reports biweekly on Saturdays on the newly spotlighted high schools and their networks under the series 'New School Networks.' ①Chungam High School ②Kyungmoon High School ③Mapo High School ④Gyeonggi High School ⑤Yeouido High School ⑥Hyundai High School ⑦Joongang High School ⑧Shinil High School

Shinil High School, located in Mia-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, was founded in 1966 by Chairman Lee Bong-su of Guri, with the founding philosophy of nurturing democratic citizens with Christian values. The school aims to promote Christ's teachings through domestic and international volunteer activities and to cultivate talents who will significantly contribute to national and social development. As a result, Shinil High School has produced numerous alumni actively engaged across various sectors.

A recently notable alumnus of Shinil High School is Lee Dong-gwan, Special Advisor for External Cooperation at the Presidential Office (7th graduating class). Last March, he was included among the seven special advisors to the Presidential Transition Committee. At that time, Kim Eun-hye, Chief of Public Relations, stated, "The seven special advisors provided significant advice and support to President-elect Yoon during the recent election process. This appointment aims to seek their continued valuable opinions for national governance after inauguration."

Advisor Lee joined Dong-A Ilbo in 1985 and served as political chief and editorial writer. During the 17th presidential election, he was the special public relations advisor to Lee Myung-bak, the Grand National Party's presidential candidate, and later served as Blue House Chief of Public Relations Secretary and Presidential Media Special Advisor. During the Lee Myung-bak administration, the 'Shinil High School network in the Blue House' drew attention. This was because former Policy Public Relations Secretary Park Heung-shin (9th graduating class), who worked with him, was a junior alumnus of Shinil High School, and former Political Secretary Kim Hae-soo and former Blue House Knowledge Economy Secretary Kim Dong-seon, who served as head of the Small and Medium Business Administration, were also graduates of Shinil High School. Currently, Advisor Lee is being considered as a candidate for the next Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, a ministerial-level position.

Among business figures from Shinil High School is Chairman Chey Tae-won of SK Group (10th graduating class). His younger brother, Chey Jae-won, Senior Vice Chairman of SK Group (12th graduating class), is also an alumnus. Chairman Chey initially enrolled at Chungam High School, President Yoon Seok-yeol's alma mater, and completed his first year there before transferring to Shinil High School.

Chairman Chey chose the science track at Shinil High School. At that time, Shinil High School had a system where all first-year students studied common subjects, and from the second year, students were divided into humanities and science tracks. It is known that his choice of the science track was heavily influenced by his father. The late Chairman Chey Jong-hyun dropped out of Seoul National University’s Department of Agricultural Chemistry and went to study in the United States, majoring in chemistry at the University of Wisconsin. Naturally, Chairman Chey Tae-won also decided on the science track rather than humanities. According to an alumnus, during his high school years, Chairman Chey was known to have devoted himself solely to his studies. Excelling academically in the science class at Shinil High School, he entered the Department of Physics at Korea University in 1979.

The now-defunct alumni business group 'Shinsuhoe,' composed of Shinil High School graduates, once attracted attention. Members included Lee Woong-yeol, Honorary Chairman of Kolon Group (6th graduating class); Shin Dong-won, Chairman of Nongshim (7th graduating class); Lee Hong-soon, former Chairman of Sambo Computer, and Kim Sang-beom, Chairman of Isu Chemical Group (9th graduating class); Song Jae-bin, former President of Tiger Pools International; Shin Moon-jae, former CEO of Kyobo Hottracks and younger brother of Shin Chang-jae, Chairman of Kyobo Life Insurance; Koo Bon-moo, late Chairman of LG Group, and his youngest brother Koo Bon-sik, Chairman of LT Group; and Kim Hyun-bae, former Chairman of Sammi Group.

There is also the 'Shingeonhoe,' an alumni association of construction professionals from Shinil High School. Known active members include Seo Jae-hwan, CEO of Kumho Construction; Lee Gyo-seon, CEO of Iljin Construction; Moon Young-mo, Management Advisor at SK Construction; and Kim Si-hwan, Executive Director at STX Construction. Other notable business figures from Shinil High School include Baek Jeong-wan, CEO of Daewoo Construction; Kim Jang-yeon, Chairman of Samhwa Paints; and Lee Dong-woo, Vice Chairman and CEO of Lotte Holdings.

Kim Hong-jin, CEO of Work Innovation Lab and a columnist for Asia Economy, is also a Shinil High School alumnus (3rd graduating class). Kim served as president of KT and is an expert with 40 years of experience in the IT field.

Notable alumni of Shinil High School. (From left) Professor Ko Young-cho, Konkuk University College of Medicine; Park Yong-jin, member of the Democratic Party of Korea; Kim Hyun-soo, LG Twins baseball player; Shin Dong-won, chairman of Nongshim; Yeom Jae-ho, president of Taejae University; Lee Dong-gwan, special advisor for external cooperation at the Presidential Office; Lee Woong-yeol, honorary chairman of Kolon Group; Lee Cheol-soo, printmaker; Jung Jin-young, actor; Choi Tae-won, chairman of SK.

In academia and medicine, Professor Ko Young-cho of Konkuk University Medical School (2nd graduating class, Neurosurgery) is highly respected among alumni. In May 2021, he received the 'LG Hero Award' from the LG Welfare Foundation. While still a medical student in 1973, he joined the Catholic Student Association and has been volunteering weekly in medically underserved areas such as Seoul's outskirts and shantytowns. Notably, in 2005, when a patient with hydrocephalus (a condition where cerebrospinal fluid abnormally accumulates in the brain) failed to visit the hospital, Professor Ko personally visited the patient's home, transported the unconscious patient to Konkuk University Hospital, and performed surgery to save his life. In an interview with the Medical Association Newspaper, Professor Ko said, "Some days, after several hours of difficult surgery at the hospital, I drive for over an hour to the volunteer site and feel exhausted, but once I arrive and work joyfully with volunteers and meet patients, the fatigue disappears as if washed away."

Yeom Jae-ho, President of Taejae University (4th graduating class and former President of Korea University), is also a Shinil High School alumnus. Taejae University is the first university in Korea to overcome temporal and physical constraints of campuses and classrooms. It was established with a private donation of 300 billion KRW from Cho Chang-geol, Honorary Chairman of Hanssem, to nurture global leaders.

President Yeom, a Korea University alumnus and six years senior to Chairman Chey Tae-won at Shinil High School, also serves as Chairman of the SK Group Board. He was a 1979 scholarship student of the Korea Higher Education Foundation, established in 1974 by the late Chairman Chey Jong-hyun of SK Group, and was able to study abroad in the United States with the foundation's support.

In finance, Kang Seung-jun, Auditor of the Bank of Korea, and Choi Gong-pil, Director of the Digital Finance Center at the Korea Fintech Society (KFS), are notable alumni. In media, Park Jung-hoon, CEO of SBS, brings honor to Shinil High School. In politics, Park Yong-jin, a Democratic Party member known for his excellent management of his constituency (Gangbuk-gu Eul), enhances the school's prestige.

Shinil High School. Photo by Younghan Heo younghna@

In the cultural sphere, printmaker Lee Cheol-soo (4th graduating class), praised for 'writing poetry through prints,' graduated from Shinil High School. Since his first solo exhibition in Seoul in 1981, he has held several solo exhibitions nationwide. In 1989, he held solo exhibitions in major cities in Germany and Switzerland. He currently lives with his wife in Pyeongdong-ri, Baegun-myeon, Jecheon-si, Chungbuk, where he continues his artistic work while farming. Other notable alumni include actors Myung Gye-nam (2nd graduating class), Sunwoo Jae-duk (12th graduating class), Heo Jun-ho (14th graduating class), the late Jeon Tae-gwan (12th graduating class, drummer of the band Bom Yeoreum Gaeul Gyeoul), actor Jung Jin-young (14th graduating class), and comedian Ji Seok-jin (16th graduating class).

The late director Lee Kyu-hyung (7th graduating class), famous for the 1980s hit film 'Adults Don't Know,' was also a Shinil High School alumnus. He debuted as the director and producer of the film 'Blue Sketch, 1986,' which was a film adaptation of the 'Youth Sketch' series serialized in the Seoul Sports newspaper, starring Park Joong-hoon and Kang Soo-yeon, propelling him to stardom. His works include 'Good Morning President' (1989), 'I'm Going to Do Something Surprising' (1990), and 'Dinosaur Teacher' (1992).

Shinil High School is also renowned as a baseball powerhouse, founded in 1975. Many star players such as Seol Jong-jin, Kang Hyuk, Baek Jae-ho, Kim Jae-hyun, Jo In-sung, Ahn Chi-yong, Hyun Jae-yoon, Bong Jung-keun, and Kim Kwang-sam graduated from Shinil High School. The school has won 12 championships in the Golden Lion Flag (8 times), Blue Dragon Flag (2 times), and Phoenix Flag (2 times) tournaments. Currently active Shinil High School alumni players in the first league include Kim Hyun-soo (37th graduating class, LG Twins), Park Se-hyuk (39th graduating class, NC Dinos), Park Hae-min (39th graduating class, LG Twins), Yang Seok-hwan (41st graduating class, Doosan Bears), Choi Won-jun (44th graduating class, Doosan Bears), Kim Tae-jin (45th graduating class, Kiwoom Heroes), Moon Bo-kyung (50th graduating class, LG Twins), and Kim Hwi-jip (52nd graduating class, Kiwoom Heroes). The baseball team is led by Coach Jung Jae-kwon (24th graduating class).

Shinil High School Alumni Association Issues Shinil Newsletter No. 82

A remarkable act of kindness by a Shinil High School alumnus became a hot topic among alumni. Alumnus Kang (9th graduating class) rescued a citizen attempting suicide. On April 1, 2021, around 6 p.m., while driving on Haengju Bridge in Gaehwa-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Kang happened to witness a citizen, Mr. A, hanging his foot over the bridge railing. Mr. A was completely leaning outside the railing, and a slight delay could have resulted in a fall. Kang urgently honked and stopped his car, comforted Mr. A by saying, "Life is tough, but you have to live," and called rescue services, saving his life.

Alumni gatherings at Shinil High School are also active. Among various groups such as golf and hiking clubs, the 'Shinil OB Choir' is representative. Founded in December 2005, the choir has held annual concerts since October 2006, starting with the 40th anniversary music concert of the Shinil Academy at COEX. They also perform charity concerts. The choir consists of about 50 Shinil High School alumni who love music. Choi Chang-soo, President of the Shinil High School Alumni Association (8th graduating class), emphasized, "Many teachers and seniors and juniors have built the school's honor excellently. We will continuously strive to be an alumni association that is more loved and joyfully participates to match that reputation."

Shinil High School Founder Elder Bong-su Lee Statue and Gymnasium. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

[Shinil High School, a prestigious school with over half a century of tradition]

The founder of Shinil High School, Chairman Lee Bong-su of Guri, was born on December 24, 1917, in Uiju, Pyeongbuk (a county located in the northwest of North Pyongan Province). His pen name 'Guri' means 'a small town no more than ten ri (about 4 km) wide, and a small person who cannot even fill ten ri.' As the pen name suggests, he was known for his humble and frugal character, always maintaining a modest attitude.

Chairman Lee, based on diligence, founded Shinil Enterprise Co., Ltd., which became the foundation for several companies including Korea Glass Industry Co., Ltd., Shinil Development Co., Ltd., and Korea Industrial Gas Co., Ltd., contributing to Korea's economic revival. With a special interest in education, he established the Shinil Academy Foundation and Shinil Middle and High Schools with the goal of nurturing 'free individuals who work by faith.' A devout Protestant, he was ordained as an elder at age 29 and served as a senior elder in his hometown Uiju and at Dongshin Church in Seoul. For his contributions to economic revival, religion, and social development, he was awarded the Order of the Mugunghwa Medal. He received honorary doctorates in business administration from Dankook University and in philosophy from Emerson College in the U.S. and Keimyung University.

Founded in October 1966, Shinil High School transitioned to an autonomous private high school in 2010. It offers level-based English conversation education with native speakers (international class), level-based piano education, classical and guitar lessons, cultural and artistic performances, and exhibition visits to support growth in arts and physical education. Character education is conducted through faith retreats, thanksgiving worship, faith education, and Shinil prayer meetings. Additionally, students can voluntarily participate in morning, after-school, evening, and weekend self-study sessions in an 850-seat study hall. Especially, through senior-junior mentoring, advanced research, reading discussions, and level-based subject special lectures, the school fosters academic enhancement and talent development. Principal Mo Sang-kyung of Shinil High School stated, "As a cradle for nurturing future-oriented talents, Shinil High School will continue to do its best to cultivate 'free individuals who work by faith' who are praised before God and people."