Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Awards Honorary Doctorate to Late Honorary Chairperson Heekyung Kim

Recognized for Contributions to the Advancement of Education and Scholarship for Humanity

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies announced on November 4 that it had awarded an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree to the late Heekyung Kim, Honorary Chairperson of the Heekyung Kim European Mental Culture Scholarship Foundation.

(Photo) From the left, Jungok Kim, Chairperson of the Kim Heekyung European Mental Culture Scholarship Foundation, and Jungwoon Park, President of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

The ceremony, held on October 30 at the Fila Acushnet Hall on the 5th floor of the Seoul Campus Library, was attended by the late Chairperson's eldest daughter and current foundation chairperson Jungok Kim, her eldest son and CEO Min Younggi, board members of the foundation, Susana Vas Patto, Ambassador of Portugal to Korea, President Jungwoon Park, and other key university officials. They gathered to pay tribute to the late Chairperson and honor her philosophical legacy.

In his conferral address, President Jungwoon Park stated, "Honorary Chairperson Heekyung Kim devoted her entire life to serving others and embodied the values of the humanities in her daily life. Her life itself was a work of the humanities and educational philosophy."

He continued, "The spirit of the humanities-understanding humanity and connecting with others-aligns with the educational philosophy of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Today's conferral of the honorary doctorate serves to honor her noble intentions and to reaffirm the light she brought to human intellect."

Born in 1923 in Huicheon, North Pyongan Province, Honorary Chairperson Heekyung Kim was an intellectual who lived through the Japanese occupation, war, and the era of national division. Even while practicing moderation and frugality, she consistently put into action her philosophy of 'creating a better community through sharing.'

Driven by her conviction that "the future of the nation depends on the advancement of the humanities and education," she established the Heekyung Kim European Mental Culture Scholarship Foundation in 2005. Through this foundation, she supported countless university students and researchers, helping them pursue their academic dreams.

Currently, since 2010, the foundation has been led by her eldest daughter, Chairperson Jungok Kim, who continues her mother's legacy. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies has consistently benefited from the foundation's scholarship programs, particularly for students majoring in European studies and the humanities.

In her acceptance speech, Chairperson Jungok Kim remarked, "My mother quietly practiced the values of the humanities throughout her life, without seeking recognition from others. Today's conferral of the honorary doctorate is a deeply moving moment that shows her spirit is still alive."

She added, "Over the past 20 years, the foundation has nurtured talent in the humanities, and we will continue to work with Hankuk University of Foreign Studies to spread the seeds of the humanities worldwide. I believe that the humanities are the driving force that will illuminate the future of our society."