Booyoung Invests 20 Billion KRW to Remodel KAIST Dormitory

KAIST Dormitory Remodeling and Donation Agreement Ceremony Held on the 30th

Booyoung Group has pledged to remodel dormitories at KAIST worth approximately 20 billion KRW.

Chairman Lee Joong-geun of Booyoung Group and President Lee Kwang-hyung of KAIST are taking a commemorative photo at the "KAIST Dormitory Remodeling and Donation Agreement Ceremony" held at the Booyoung Group headquarters on the 30th. Photo by Booyoung Group

Booyoung Group announced on the 1st that it held a dormitory remodeling and donation agreement ceremony for KAIST at the Booyoung Group headquarters on the 30th. The event was attended by Lee Joong-geun, Chairman of Booyoung Group, and Lee Kwang-hyung, President of KAIST, among others.

Booyoung Group will remodel a total of four buildings: Nanum Hall and Gungdong Apartments at KAIST Daejeon Campus, and Sojeongsa and Pajeongsa at the Seoul Campus. Nanum Hall, completed in 1989, has ceased operation due to aging facilities, and Gungdong Apartments, completed in 1993, are in use after partial repairs but remain inconvenient for users. Additionally, Sojeongsa and Pajeongsa at the Seoul Campus, completed in 1972 and 1975 respectively, require remodeling.

Booyoung Group plans to remodel the entire interior and exterior of the buildings, including exterior construction, mechanical, electrical, communication, and fire safety systems. Upon completion of the remodeling, KAIST will name the buildings after Chairman Lee’s pen name 'Ujeong (宇庭)' as ‘Ujeong Nanum Research Building (tentative)’, ‘Ujeong Gungdong Apartments (tentative)’, ‘Ujeong Sojeongsa (tentative)’, and ‘Ujeong Pajeongsa (tentative)’ respectively.

President Lee said, “We deeply thank Booyoung Group and Chairman Lee for their great commitment to nurturing future talents,” adding, “We will do our best to improve the aging dormitory facilities and environment, which many students have requested, to cultivate world-class talents.”

Chairman Lee stated, “Education is a century-long plan that designs the future of the nation, and it is essential to create an environment where students can focus on their studies,” and added, “I hope that students at KAIST will nurture their dreams and talents and grow into outstanding talents.”

Chairman Lee has been actively engaged in educational donations, including scholarship projects and donations of educational materials and facilities. He has built and donated over 130 educational facilities nationwide, including dormitories, libraries, and gymnasiums, not only to KAIST but also to elementary, middle, high schools, and universities across the country. Furthermore, he established Ujeong Academy, operating five schools including Neungju Middle and High Schools in Hwasun, Jeonnam, Deokwon Girls’ Middle and High Schools, and Deokwon Arts High School in Seoul. Through the Ujeong Education and Culture Foundation, he has donated a cumulative 10 billion KRW in scholarships to 2,548 international students from 43 countries studying at domestic universities. Since 2019, he has been working to foster local talent and develop the community by acquiring Changshin University located in Changwon.