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Ewha University

Giving to Ewha

Illuminating the World with Light of Sharing (Yeong-ja Kim, English Language & Literature, Graduating Class of 1961)

  • Date2024.11.26
  • 2269
Yeong-ja Kim, Chairperson of the Seungsan Nanum Foundation, English Language & Literature, Graduating Class of 1961

On October 18, 2024, Yeong-ja Kim, Chairperson of the Seungsan Nanum Foundation (English Language & Literature, graduating class of 1961) was awarded the Mongnyeon Medal of the Order of Civil Merit at the 119th anniversary ceremony of the Korean Red Cross. This prestigious award recognizes her 37 years of dedication to supporting the underprivileged and fostering talented individuals by donating more than KRW 4.3 billion. Chairperson Kim has also remained a steadfast supporter of her alma mater, contributing a total of KRW 400 million to date, including a recent donation of KRW 50 million for the Centennial Development Fund for the Division of English Language & Literature.



Chairperson Yeong-ja Kim’s spirit of sharing is made all the more special as it stems from her family tradition, which has been passed down through three generations. Her father-in-law, Huh Man-jung, was an independence activist and the founder of GS Group, and led the establishment of Jinju Girls’ High School (formerly Ilshin Girls’ High School) in South Gyeongsang Province, dedicating himself to regional development and the cultivation of talented individuals. Huh Wan-goo, Chairman of Seungsan Co. Ltd., the son of Huh Man-jung and the husband of Chairperson Kim, also donated about KRW 12 billion during his lifetime to reconstruct the outdated facilities at Jinju Girls’ High School. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Dongbaek Medal of the Order of Civil Merit. Beyond this, he extended his philanthropy to various institutions in need, including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, the National Museum of Korea, and Seoul National University Hospital, setting an exemplary model for society.


Continuing this family legacy, Chairperson Kim established the Seungsan Nanum Foundation in 2013 to honor the legacy of her late husband, Chairman Huh Wan-goo, naming the foundation after his pen name “Seungsan.” The foundation has been steadily donating KRW 45 million each year in scholarships and development funds for students at Jinju Girls’ High School.

Chairperson Kim expressed her belief that “sharing is a sincere act of helping others within one’s own means.” She remarked, “People often think that they can only donate if they have money, but it really is the thought that counts.” She has been dedicated to social contributions for nearly 50 years by serving in various roles, such as Vice President of the Korean Red Cross, Chairperson of the Ewha Girls’ High School Scholarship Foundation, and President of the Korea Women’s Tennis Association.


Kim recalled, “I graduated from Ewha’s Department of English Language & Literature under the guidance of Presidents Helen Kim and Kim Okgill, gaining invaluable lessons from their teachings. In particular, I had the privilege of working closely with President Kim Okgill, who also served as President of the Korean Association of University Women. She often reminded me, ‘We should be grateful that we have a homeland.’ Having been born during the Japanese colonial period, I also witnessed Korea’s development firsthand at every step and benefited from society in many ways, which inspired me to repay the favor by giving back.” Kim has remained dedicated to supporting female students who have been marginalized in education and entry into the labor market while holding key leadership positions over the years, including Finance Committee Chair, President, and Advisor in the Korean Association of University Women, an organization committed to advocating for active participation in society and expanding educational opportunities for women.


Kim congratulated the Division of English Language & Literature on its 100th anniversary and encouraged her juniors to “learn as much as you can and become members of the Ewha family who venture forth into society to repay the kindness they’ve received by sharing with others.” As a senior alumna who has devoted herself to making the world a warmer place through acts of sharing over the years, she also expressed her hope that Ewha’s culture of sharing will once again spread far and wide.