Chairman Shin Jungtaek of Sewoon Steel Donates 100 Million Won to Pusan National University on New Year's Day

Designated Donation for "Clock Tower Restoration"
A Signal for the Expansion of the Relay Donation Campaign

Pusan National University, founded in 1946 with the love and support of citizens and entrepreneurs, is set to celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2026, and a meaningful donation has marked the start of the new year.

Pusan National University (President Choi Jaewon) announced on January 1 that Shin Jungtaek, Chairman of Sewoon Steel, visited the president's office at the end of the year to congratulate the university on its 80th anniversary and contributed a 100 million won development fund.

In celebration of its 80th anniversary in 2026, Pusan National University is running the "80 Years of Memories, 80 Years of Future" campaign, a relay donation initiative aiming to raise a total of 20 billion won.

This campaign is designed to encourage alumni, citizens, and local community members who have supported Pusan National University to carry on the university’s history and values and to participate in its future development.

In particular, this relay-style campaign allows each donor to nominate the next participant, and both the donation amount and its purpose can be freely chosen within the scope of the 80th anniversary commemorative projects, thereby lowering the barrier to participation. Through this, the university aims to spread a culture of sharing and solidarity throughout the local community.

The 100 million won development fund donated by Chairman Shin Jungtaek will be designated for the "Pusan National University Clock Tower Restoration Project," one of the key initiatives for the university’s 80th anniversary. The clock tower, symbolizing 80 years of history, time, and memories at Pusan National University, makes this donation a meaningful promise of solidarity that links the university’s past and future.

Chairman Shin personally attended the completion ceremony for the "Digital Hall of Honor" on the first floor of the university’s main building and the launch of the 80th anniversary relay donation campaign in November last year, expressing strong support for the university’s history and the spread of a donation culture.

As a leading entrepreneur in the region, Shin Jungtaek has consistently engaged in social contribution activities, believing that the future of the region can only be sustained if local industry and education grow together. From 2015 to 2021, he served as chairman of the Busan Community Chest of Korea for six years, leading the local culture of sharing, and has donated over 10 billion won across social, educational, sports, and economic sectors. In recognition of these achievements, he received the Proud Busan Citizen Award in 2012 and the Moran Medal of the Order of Civil Merit in 2015.

Shin Jungtaek stated, "The 80th anniversary of Pusan National University is not just the university’s history, but the time built together with the local community," adding, "I believe that giving is not something only special people do, but an act of adding one’s heart from wherever they are." He continued, "I hope the relay donation inspires others and that this warm flow leads to solidarity for regional development," and nominated former Pusan National University President Jun Ho Hwan as the next donor.

President Choi Jaewon of Pusan National University said, "Chairman Shin Jungtaek of Sewoon Steel is a social role model who has embodied the value of co-prosperity between local universities and the community," adding, "We are deeply grateful for his invaluable donation that connects the university’s history and future as we approach our 80th anniversary."

He continued, "Pusan National University started as a private university founded by donations from citizens and entrepreneurs and has grown into a national hub university representing Korea. On the occasion of our 80th anniversary, we will continue to pursue mutual growth with the local community and fulfill our role and responsibility as a university contributing to Busan’s leap as a global hub city."

Shin Jungtaek, Chairman of Sewoon Steel, is donating 100 million won to Pusan National University on the first day of the new year. Photo by Pusan National University