Challenging Publishing in 1976, Releasing Bestsellers like 'What Is Justice'
Kim Kang-yu, founder of the publishing company Kim Young-sa, passed away due to worsening chronic illness around 9 a.m. on the 1st. He was 76 years old.
Mr. Kim was born in 1947 in Goheung, Jeollanam-do, and graduated from Sungkyunkwan University with a degree in French literature.
During his university years, he developed an interest in studying the "Diamond Sutra" and graduated from Dongguk University Graduate School of Buddhism.
He began his publishing career in 1976. He started under the name "Jeonghansa" and changed it to "Kim Young Publishing" in 1979.
He produced numerous bestsellers such as "Faraway Countries, Neighboring Countries" and "What Is Justice?"
In 1989, he appointed Park Eun-joo, who was then the editor-in-chief, as CEO and stepped back from frontline work. Appointing a 32-year-old woman as CEO was a groundbreaking move that attracted attention not only in the publishing industry but throughout the cultural sector.
However, in May 2014, he returned to the position of CEO of Kim Young-sa, citing management corruption by former CEO Park. The two clashed over the causes of Kim Young-sa's sales decline, eventually leading to mutual lawsuits between the former and current CEOs.
Originally named Kim Jeong-seop, he changed his name to Kim Kang-yu. He also authored works such as "Happy Study" and "Happy Mind," which focus on managing the mind through Buddhist teachings.
In 2022, he established the Buddhist practice organization, the Foundation Yeo-si-gwan, and served as its chairman.
The funeral is being held at Seoul Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall, Room 35. The funeral procession will take place at 8 a.m. on the 3rd, and the burial site is in Yongin Seonyeong.
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