Kwangwoon’s 90th Anniversary of the Founding Ceremony Successfully Concluded,

“Now it’s time to soar towards the 100th anniversary”

- In 1934, founder Dr. Hwado Kwang-woon Cho opened the ‘Chosun Radio Training Center’, marking the 90th anniversary of its founding -

- Chairman Seon-young Cho: “We must plan and prepare for the future beyond the 100th anniversary of our founding with integration, collaboration, and unity” -

- President Jangho Chun: “I hope the ‘butterfly effect’ unfolds in Kwangwoon’s future towards the 100th anniversary of its founding”- 

On May 20th, Kwangwoon Foundation (Chairman: Seon-young Cho) held the 90^th anniversary celebration of Kwangwoon’s founding for grand take-off for the next 100 years in three-parts at Kwangwoon University’s Donghae Art Center and the 80th Anniversary Building.

Beginning with the Chosun Radio Training Center in 1934, Kwangwoon Foundation, which was the first in Korea to introduce an ‘Electronic Engineering’ major at a university, has been training talents who embody the educational philosophy and founding spirit of Dr. Hwado Kwang-woon Cho through Kwangwoon Elementary School, Namdaemun Middle School, Kwangwoon Middle School, Kwangwoon Artificial Intelligence High School, and Kwangwoon University over the past 90 years.

■ Conferring Honorary Doctorate and Bachelor’s Degrees

The first part of the ‘Kwangwoon’s 90th Anniversary Ceremony’ included a commemorative speech by Seon-young Cho, Chairman of Kwangwoon Foundation , a welcoming speech by Jangho Chun, President of Kwangwoon University , and a report on the founder’s biography by Hyang-cheol Lee, Executive Director of the Hwado Memorial Association , as well as a congratulatory speech by Ki-moon Ban, the 8th Secretary-General of the UN, and the presentation of service awards.

Chairman Seon-young Cho said, “The 90th anniversary of Kwangwoon’s founding is both a new starting point and a turning point for all members of Kwangwoon. Let’s plan and prepare for the next 100 years and beyond based on consolidation, collaboration, and unity.”

President Jangho Chun said, “I would like to thank the quests of honor for joining this meaningful occasion to reflect on the past 90 years of Kwangwoon and commit to the next 100 years, hoping for a ‘butterfly effect’ that starts small but leads to change the world and create miracles beyond our imagination in Kwangwoon’s future.

Ki-moon Ban, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, sent a congratulatory video message saying, “I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Chairman Seon-young Cho and the Kwangwoon family on the 90th anniversary of the foundation. I hope the various institutions under Kwangwoon Foundation continue to explore truth and practical pragmatism based on the educational philosophy of founder Dr. Hwado Kwang-woon Cho.”

Nguyen Dong Phong, Chairman of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), was awarded an honorary doctorate in business administration. Nguyen Dong Phong, a prominent figure in Vietnam who has led the university for over 40 years contributing significantly to Vietnam’s economic and educational development, and has been active in promoting exchanges between Korea and Vietnam. Kwangwoon University, which enrolls foreign students of various nationalities, will continue to advance ‘Global Kwangwoon’. Vu Ho, the Ambassador of Vietnam to Korea, also attended the ceremony to celebrate this honorary doctorate award.

The honorary bachelor’s degree also stands out. Since 1976, Soon-dan Kwon, who has been managing ‘Kwangwoon Snacks’ across from Kwangwoon University’s main gate and providing a solid meal for students, was the honored recipient. This is to inherit the founder’s founding spirit of emphasizing  character and humanity.

■ Announcement of the ‘Zero School Violence Charter’ and Art Exhibition

An even more unique event was the ‘School Violence Zero Charter Announcement and Art Exhibition’ in collaboration with the Blue Tree Foundation (Chairman: Gil-sung Park) during the second part of the event. This event was organized to put Kwangwoon’s educational philosophy into practice on the 90th anniversary of its founding, and with the intention of taking the lead in activities such as preventing and healing school violence, Kwangwoon is planning various programs in collaboration with the Blue Tree Foundation, Kwangwoon institutions, and the local communities.

Chairman Seon-young Cho said, “We will do our best to eradicate the causes of school violence and cultivate true adults with the Blue Tree Foundation, keeping in mind the founder’s words that the true, good, and beautiful science and technology must also be imbued with human dignity and that we must cultivate a heart of love  before cultivating new technologies. Gil-sung Park, Chairman of the Blue Tree Foundation said, “The announcement of the School Violence Zero Charter is a first step towards creating such a social order, with the aim of expanding the ‘School Violence Zero @ Kwangwoon’ project, led by Chairman Seon-young Cho, throughout South Korea.”

This exceptional approach to leading social agendas in South Korea on a school anniversary is highly unusual, so is considered to shed new light on the role of educational institutions in the future. The Blue Tree Foundation, which goes along with Kwangwoon, is South Korea’s first NGO dedicated to preventing and healing school violence. It is established by Jong-ki Kim, an honorary chairman who has received the Camellia Medal of the National Medal of Honor, the Asan Prize Grand Prize, the Inchon Prize for Education, and the Maksaisai Prize. . Jong-ki Kim, who appeared on the TV program ‘You Quiz,’ is also a father who took action against school violence after his only son made an extreme choice due to bullying at the age of 16 in 1995, vowing to prevent such incidents from recurring.

On this occasion, Yong-jin Go, a member of the National Assembly from Nowon-gu, Seoul (where Kwangwoon University is located), said, “It is an honor to be invited to a place where Kwangwoon’s past, present, and future come together,” and expressed his hope that “Kwangwoon Foundation and the Blue Tree Foundation will work together to create an environment where healthy, happy, and creative students can grow.” Yong-tae Kim, an alumnus of Department of Environmental Engineering at Kwangwoon University and newly elected member of the National Assembly from the Pocheon-Gapyeong constituency in the 22nd general election, also visited the event. Yong-tae Kim said, “I believe that the 90 years of efforts in cultivating talents at Kwangwoon have made what Kwangwoon is today. As the founder advised, I will also strive to contemplate human decency and respect for people during my time in politics.”

The art exhibition in the lounge of Kwangwoon University’s 80th Anniversary Building featured works by artist Jin-yi Lee (artist name: Atara), known as the ‘Eva Armisen of Korea’ who conveys  happiness. The artwork, titled ‘Full of Luck’, was particularly attention-grabbing. Jin-yi Lee explained, “A three-leaf clover represents happiness, and a four-leaf clover represents luck. I found luck on my journey to find happiness. Happiness is ultimately something I create, coming from my mindset. Wearing ‘luck’ around my neck brings peace to my mind. When my heart is at peace, I have time to relax, , and love overflows from within me, which eventually spreads into the energy of happiness.”

Jong-gyu Kim, Chairman of the Cultural Heritage National Trust, said in his congratulatory speech, “I am moved by Kwangwoon Foundation, which is a pioneer of electrical engineering, leading the national agenda of zero school violence in a manner befitting Kwangwoon on its 90th anniversary.”

Jong-ki Kim, founder and honorary chairman of the Blue Tree Foundation, said in a video message, “Providing a safe environment for students to study is the responsibility of adults, and I hope that the ‘School Violence Zero @ Kwangwoon’ project conducted with Kwangwoon Foundation would become a seed to solve the prevalent issue of school violence in our society.”

The second part of the event was attended by various distinguished guests including Sung-tae Kim, CEO of IBK; Jong-ju Son, Chairman of Welcome Financial Group; Sang-won Park, Chairman of the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture; actor Joon-ho Jung; Seong-rim Lee, Honorary Chairman of the Federation of Artistic and Cultural Organization of Korea; and Kwang-chan Ahn, Chairman of the Korea-UNC Friendship Association.

Following this, the ‘School Violence Zero Charter’ composed of a preamble and principles was announced as a pledge to implement zero violence in schools. The charter’s principles include: ▶ one, the challenge to zero school violence is based on a civilized social order that ensures the freedom and rights of the educational community members while fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of mutual respect and trust; ▶ two, school violence is any act that violates the physical and mental freedom of others and causes property damage, both inside and outside the school; ▶ three, all members of society should work together with educational community to prevent school violence because it causes anxiety and hinders development not only for the victims and perpetrators but also for their families and the entire society; ▶ four, the educational community should develop and implement systematic plans to create a safe and respectful environment for students and to establish a healthy school and class culture; ▶ five, schools, communities, and a nation should guarantee active socio-economic support to the educational community members facing difficulties in preventing and responding to school violence; ▶ six, schools, communities, and a nation should ensure the educational community takes full responsibility and duty in healing the physical and psychological suffering  of the victims and their families, and in encouraging the perpetrators to reflect, apologize, and lead the way in educational solutions and restorative process▶ seven, schools, communities, and a nation should create a sustainable environment through supporting necessary education and research to solve school violence issues; ▶ eight, schools, communities, and a nation should implement measures to strengthen the social safety net, including alleviating economic and social inequalities that may be encountered during the prevention and response to school violence; ▶ and nine, we should make all efforts to spread and establish a global non-violence culture through cooperation with international organizations.

■ ‘Kwangwoon Picnic’ Celebrating the 90th Anniversary of Founding

The third part, the ‘Kwangwoon Picnic’, was organized by the Alumni Association and the Student Council in the grass plaza in front of the 80th Anniversary Building to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding. The Student Council, supported by the Alumni Association, shared various foods like chicken, pizza, and ice cream with the participating students and distinguished guests, providing a fun time for all members to unite.

As part of the third event, calligraphy was performed by Yulsan Hong-jae Lee, a calligrapher who had also performed in a pre-inauguration event for the 20th president. On this day, Hong-jae Lee displayed a performance writing ‘Kwangwoon’s 90th Anniversary of Founding’ on a large 15-meter-wide by 3-meter-long cloth in front of Kwangwoon University’s Hwado Building, drawing praise from the attendees. The event concluded with performances by the central clubs ‘Noeul’ and ‘14Fret’.

Seon-young Cho, Chairman of Kwangwoon Foundation giving a commemorative speech at the ‘Kwangwoon’s 90th Anniversary of Founding Ceremony’ held at Kwangwoon University’s Donghae Art Center

Jangho Chun, President of Kwangwoon University giving a welcoming speech at the ‘Kwangwoon’s 90th Anniversary of Founding Ceremony’ held

at Kwangwoon University’s Donghae Art Center

Seon-young Cho, Chairman of Kwangwoon Foundation explaining the purpose of the event at ‘the School Violence Zero Charter Announcement and Art Exhibition' with the Blue Tree Foundation to commemorate the Kwangwoon’s 90th Anniversary of Founding at Kwangwoon University's 80th Anniversary Building

Seon-young Cho, Chairman of Kwangwoon Foundation and artist Jin-yi Lee are attaching their wishes on a wish tree at the ‘School Violence Zero Charter Announcement and Art Exhibition’ with the Blue Tree Foundation to commemorate the ‘Kwangwoon’s 90th Anniversary of Founding

at Kwangwoon University’s 80th Anniversary Building

Calligrapher Hong-jae Lee performing brush calligraphy

at the ‘Kwangwoon Picnic’ to commemorate the Kwangwoon’s 90th Anniversary of Founding in front of Kwangwoon University’s Hwado Building