Lee Jong-hun (李宗勳), a former Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) president, died on the 3rd at 91. He is regarded as a figure who led the development of the Korean standard nuclear power plant, technological self-reliance, and the building 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 Joseon Jeoneop (formerly Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO)) as the first class of open recruitment.
Afterward, he served as head of nuclear power construction, head of the Kori Nuclear Power Headquarters, and KEPCO executive vice president, and from 1993 to 1998 he was the 11th president of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). Even after retirement, he served as chair of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, among other posts.
In 1997, he became the first official from a power company based outside North America to receive the Edison Award. He also received the Order of Industrial Service Merit, Golden Tower, the Korea Nuclear Energy Award, and the Korea Electrical Culture Grand Prize.
He is survived by his wife, Jang Geum-soon, his son, Jae-seong (professor, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Korea University), and his daughters, Hae-young (emeritus professor, Myongji University), Sun-young (professor, Department of Architecture, University of Seoul), and Soo-young (professor, School of Information, University of Texas at Austin). The funeral hall is at Asan Medical Center, and the funeral procession is at 5:20 a.m. on the 5th.