Former Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) President Lee Jong-hoon (李宗勳), 91, died on the 3rd. He is regarded as a figure who led the development of Korea's standard nuclear power plant, technological self-reliance, and the establishment of an industrial base.
Born in Andong, North Gyeongsang, Lee graduated from Andong Agricultural and Forestry High School and the Seoul National University Department of Electrical Engineering, served as an instructor at the Naval Academy, and in 1959 joined Chosun Electric (former Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO)) as part of the first open recruitment class.
He later served as head of the Nuclear Power Construction Office, head of the Kori Nuclear Power Headquarters, and KEPCO vice president, and was the 11th president of Korea Electric Power Corporation from 1993 to 1998. After retiring, he also served as chair of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute.
In 1997, he became the first official of a power company located outside North America to receive the Edison Award. He also received the Order of Industrial Service Merit, Gold Tower, the Korea Nuclear Power Grand Prize, and the Korea Electric Culture Grand Prize.
He is survived by his wife, Kim Sun-hyeon; son, Jae-sung (professor, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Korea University); and daughters, Hae-young (emeritus professor, Myongji University), Sun-young (professor, School of Architecture, University of Seoul), and Su-young (professor, School of Information, University of Texas at Austin). The wake is at the funeral hall of Asan Medical Center, and the funeral is at 5:20 a.m. on the 5th.