Foundation
About the Founder
“Talent development is our hope and purpose.”
The founder of the Hyunsong Educational & Cultural Foundation, the late Hyunsong Chu Chang-kyun, devoted his life to pioneering Korea’s steel industry.
Committed to giving back to society, he dedicated the achievements of his business endeavors to supporting scholarships and academic research to cultivate future talent.
"We carry a mission to build a prosperous nation and pass it on to future generations.
What we could not accomplish ourselves must be entrusted to the upcoming youth.
That is why talent development is our hope and purpose."
<Excerpt from the Founding Principles, November 14, 1974>
Founder, the late Hyunsong Chu Chang-kyun (1921–2012)
A Time of Growth and Learning
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1921
Born in Sakju-gun, Pyeonganbuk-do
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1940
Graduated from Sinuiju Public High School
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1942
Graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Ube Technical College, Japan (present-day Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University)
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1943
Appointed Director of Hwanghae Iron Works, North Korea (until 1950)
Building a Nation Through Steel
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1954
Established Sinsaeng Industry and entered the steel industry, becoming the first in Korea to produce galvanized steel sheets and pipes
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1960
Renamed the company to Ilsin Industrial Co., Ltd.
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1967
Completed Korea’s first cold rolling mill in Oryu-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul
Cultivating Talent,
Inspiring Hope for the Future
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1974
Awarded the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit for export excellence /
Awarded the Order of Civil Merit, Dongbaek Medal, for contributions to scientific advancement
Completed construction of a rugby grass field in Oryu-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul -
1975
Established the Hyunsong Cultural Foundation / Renamed the company to Ilsin Steel
Awarded the Mugunghwa Medal, the highest honor of the Korea Scout Association -
1988
Awarded the Bronze Wolf Award, the highest distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
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2012
Passed away at 91 years of age on December 29, 2012