Former Seoul National University President Cho Wan-gyu, who served as Minister of the Ministry of Education and the inaugural president of The Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST) and led the advancement of Korea's basic science and science and technology, died on the 13th. He was 98.
According to the bereaved family, the former president died at 3:30 a.m. on the 13th at Seoul National University Hospital. The funeral will be held as a The Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST) funeral to honor his achievements.
Born in 1928 in Hwanghae Province, he graduated from the Department of Biology and the graduate school at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences of Seoul National University and devoted himself to research and education at Seoul National University from 1957 to 1992. He is regarded as a first-generation scientist who pioneered basic biology in Korea.
Even in the years right after the Korean War, when proper research equipment was scarce, he continued his work. With only a pencil and paper, he analyzed the birth sex ratio of Koreans and published it in an international journal, and later identified the mechanism that regulates the maturation process of mammalian oocytes, drawing attention from the global developmental biology community. He also left original achievements, including developing a new culture method to safely transport oocytes and embryos.
Over 36 years on the podium at Seoul National University, he trained the next generation and produced more than 50 master's and doctoral degree holders. They were called the "Seollang (雪浪) disciples," after his pen name, and led developmental biology research in Korea.
◇ Science administrator who laid the foundation for basic science and led education reform
The former president left a significant mark not only as a researcher but also as a science administrator.
In the early 1980s, he led the enactment of the Genetic Engineering Promotion Act, establishing an institutional foundation for research funding and training specialists, and in 1991 he founded the Korea Bio Industry Association, driving the industrialization of research outcomes.
As president of The Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST), he pushed organizational innovation in the science and technology community and also helped secure the domestic hosting of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI).
In 1994, with the founding of The Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST), he became its first president and led the expansion of international exchanges in the domestic scientific community and the building of an academic foundation.
After taking office as Seoul National University president in 1987, he advanced university autonomy by removing the clause banning political activities and transferring student disciplinary authority to the faculty senate. As Minister of the Ministry of Education in 1992, he pursued expanded university autonomy and education reform.
◇ "The future lies with young scientists"… Pursued a Nobel Prize to the end
Until the end of his life, the former president paid deep attention to fostering younger scientists. Drawing on his own experience of poor research conditions, he worked to build a foundation that would allow young researchers to conduct their work stably.
During his tenure as Seoul National University president, he introduced a centralized research fund management system to streamline spending and supported bringing to Korea the research equipment used by professors returning from overseas training so they could continue their work.
In particular, until his last days he cited a Nobel science prize for a Korean as his greatest wish.
In an interview with the Seoul National University alumni bulletin, he said, "Judging from the creativity, capability, will, and drive of young scientists, it is possible to produce Nobel laureates," adding, "As long as they can continue their research activities, in 30 or 40 years they can surely become candidates for Nobel science prizes. I hope a Nobel science laureate emerges in my lifetime."
In an interview with The Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST), he also said, "The younger generation is full of creativity and can generate ingenious ideas," and urged, "As mentors to young people, KAST members should encourage them to build up scientific and technological capabilities."
He is survived by his wife, Hong Seong-hyeon, two sons and one daughter. The wake is in Room 1 at the Seoul National University Hospital funeral hall, and the funeral is at 7 a.m. on the 16th.