First-Generation Honam Construction Entrepreneur, Namyang Construction Chairman Hyungryul Ma, Passes Away

Hyungryul Ma, Chairman of Namyang Construction

Hyungryul Ma, Chairman of Namyang Construction and a first-generation construction entrepreneur in the Honam region, passed away at 10 p.m. on January 13 at Chonnam National University Hospital in Dong-gu, Gwangju. He was 91 years old.

Born in 1935 in Samsin-ri, Gundo-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do, Chairman Ma founded Namyang Construction, a comprehensive construction company, in 1958.

After becoming CEO in 1972, he led the company in constructing apartments under the "Namyang Hutton" brand, as well as in projects including ports, roads, tunnels, land reclamation, residential land development, marine bridges, railways, subways, housing, and specialized facilities.

He also carried out large-scale public works, such as the construction of the Gwangju World Cup Stadium for the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup.

Chairman Ma served as Chairman of the Jeollanam-do Branch of the Construction Association of Korea (July 1991-March 2002), Chairman of the Construction Association of Korea (2002-2005), and Chairman of the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry (September 2002-September 2007).

Since September 2006, he had also served as Chairman of the Gwangju Maeil Newspaper.

The late Chairman Ma was recognized for his contributions to the national economy and local community, including supporting underprivileged groups through the establishment of the Namyang Cultural Foundation. He received the Dongbaek Medal (1985), the Prime Minister's Commendation (1989), the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit (1994), and the Presidential Citation (2002).

He is survived by one son, Chanho Ma, Vice Chairman of Namyang Construction, and two daughters. The funeral will be held as a company funeral by Namyang Construction. The mourning room is Room 201 at the Gukbin Funeral Culture Center in Maewol-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju. The funeral procession will take place at 9 a.m. on January 16.