A memorial service for the first anniversary of the passing of former Ssangyong Group Chairman Kim Seok Won was held on Monday, August 26, at Seonyoung in Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do. More than 140 people attended the memorial service, including Kim's eldest son, Kim Ji Yong, chairman of Kookmin Gakuen, as well as family members and friends, to reminisce about Kim's life and honor his memory.

Kim Seok Won, former chairman of Ssangyong Group, is the eldest son of Sungok Sung-gon, who led the development and revitalization of Kookmin University. He was born in Daegu in 1945 and graduated from Seoul High School before majoring in economics at Brandeis University in the United States in 1966.

Kim is considered to have made a mark in Korea's economic and industrial history by diversifying Ssangyong, which started as a small soap factory, into various fields such as heavy chemicals and finance, and rising to the sixth place in the business hierarchy. Not only as an entrepreneur, but also as a socially responsible leader, he has made extraordinary efforts in youth education and international exchange. As president of the Korean Scout Federation and chairman of the World Scout Support Foundation, he instilled dreams and hope in young people.
Mr. Kim has also been active in politics. A native of Hyunpung-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu, he ran for the 15th National Assembly in 1996 as a member of the New Korea Party. He has also made significant achievements in the field of sports. He paved the way for the development of winter sports and leisure in South Korea by establishing Yongpyong Ski Resort in a country that was once a ski barren.

At the memorial service, Chairman Kim Ji Yong said, “During his lifetime, he always valued fulfilling his social responsibilities, and his legacy continues to teach us all valuable lessons today.” “I will continue to carry on his will and live my life by practicing his teachings.”

“The spirit of community that cares about the lives of others and contemplates a better future, and pragmatism that seeks to solve various problems in society, are the roots of the entrepreneurial spirit that Kookmin University pursues,” said Kookmin President Jeong Seung Ryul. “We will take advantage of the entrepreneurship education philosophy that former Chairman Kim Seok-won practiced and lead the way to make Kookmin University a university that produces talented people who are active in the world beyond Korea.”