85 Years with Kwangwoon, Forever Resting in Its Embrace

Funeral Ceremony Held for Cho Moo-sung, the First President of Kwangwoon University

• As the University's first president, he established its educational, research, and administrative foundations, laying the cornerstone of today's Kwangwoon University.

• He led Kwangwoon's transition to a comprehensive university and devoted his life to advancing ICT education in the Republic of Korea.

  Cho Moo-sung, the first President of Kwangwoon University, who laid the foundation for ICT education in Korea and dedicated his life to the development of Kwangwoon, passed away peacefully on June 27 at the age of 85. His funeral ceremony was solemnly held on July 1 at the founders' memorial site of the Kwangwoon Educational Foundation. 

  The final journey of President Cho was a symbolic homecoming to Kwangwoon, the institution to which he devoted his entire life. The funeral procession departed from Seoul National University Hospital Funeral Hall and made ceremonial farewell stops at Kwangwoon Elementary School, Namdaemun Middle School, Kwangwoon University, Kwangwoon Artificial Intelligence High School, and Kwangwoon Middle School. At each institution, memorial rites were held in tribute to his lifelong commitment to education before the procession proceeded to the founders' memorial site of the Kwangwoon Educational Foundation, where he was laid to rest. 

  The funeral ceremony was solemnly held in the presence of officials from the Kwangwoon Educational Foundation, the bereaved family, faculty and staff, and numerous mourners. The service began with a moment of silence in honor of the late President Cho, followed by a presentation of his life and achievements, a memorial video, a memorial address, and commemorative tributes. Accompanying him on his final journey, attendees reflected on the remarkable legacy he left behind and bid a heartfelt farewell to Cho Moo-sung, the University's first President, whose lifelong dedication laid the foundation for Korea's education in electronics and information and communications technology (ICT) and helped shape the history of Kwangwoon University.

  These efforts culminated in Kwangwoon's designation as a comprehensive university in 1988. President Cho subsequently became its first President, establishing the University's education, research, and administrative systems and laying the cornerstone for the Kwangwoon University of today. Throughout Kwangwoon's century-long history, he was remembered as both a dedicated educator and a steadfast leader who guided the institution through numerous crises while remaining devoted to the advancement of Kwangwoon and ICT education in Korea until the very end of his life.

  During the memorial video, attendees reflected on President Cho's lifelong commitment to Kwangwoon in a moment of profound remembrance. As scenes depicting his leadership in carrying forward the founder's vision and guiding the University's growth and development were shown, many mourners were visibly moved to tears.

  Yoon Do-young, President of Kwangwoon University and Chair of the Funeral Committee, paid tribute by saying, "President Cho was born at the birthplace of Kwangwoon and remained devoted to the name 'Kwangwoon' until his very last breath. Even when faced with the historic challenge of transforming the institution into a comprehensive university, he placed the University's future above his own interests. Guided by his belief that a university belongs not to an individual or a foundation but to society as a whole, he generously donated his personal assets and embodied the values of public education and ethical private higher education." 

  He continued, "Despite undergoing multiple major surgeries and battling serious illness, his dedication to Kwangwoon never wavered. Until the very end, he remained an educator who believed in people and patiently nurtured them. Building upon the foundation that President Cho established through a lifetime of unwavering commitment, Kwangwoon will continue its bold journey toward the next century of excellence."

  ​In her memorial address, Cho Sun-young, Chairperson of Kwangwoon Academy, reflected on the life of her late father as a dedicated educator. "Throughout his life, the Founding President loved Kwangwoon more than anyone else," Chairperson Cho recalled. "At every crossroads between life and death, he never worried about his own well-being, but always placed the future of Kwangwoon first."