Pukyong National University

Kim Jae-cheol, the chairman's goal is to commercialize 'Aquaponics'
Interview with Kim Jae-cheol of <News & Story> on the 2nd page of the Korea Economic Daily

△ Mr. Kim Jae-cheol, the chairman of Dongwon group in the Korea Economic Daily newspaper ⓒPhoto by Lee Sung-jae (PR team)

The current status of the honorary chairman of the Dongwon Group, Kim Jae-cheol, alumnus of Pukyong National University, was introduced on the Korean Economic Daily and attracted attention from public.

Mr. Kim had graduated from the Department of Fisheries at the National Fisheries University of Busan in 1958. He is also currently working as an honorary president of Pukyong National University.

He took a step back from the front lines of the management in April. In 1969, in a small office in Myeong-dong, Seoul, it has been 50 years since he founded the Dongwon Industry and led the company with a capital of 10 million won, 3 employees, and 1 offshore fishing vessel.
 
For those who were wondering about the status of Mr. Kim after his retirement, his interview on the Korea Economic Daily was a welcome news to them.

It was a big top box article in the <News & Story> corner on page 2 of the 13th, April of the Korea Economic Daily. The title was ‘The seaman who is hooked on the smart farm … Kim Jae-cheol's 2nd lifework on Agricultural Research'.
 
Wondering how he was doing these days. The article introduced the current situation that Mr. Kim focuses on the hydroponic cultivation of crops at a smart farm in Icheon, Gyeonggi.

In the article of the Korea Economic Daily, it said, "Kim has a special bond with agriculture. Born as the eldest of nine siblings in Gangjin, Jeollanam-do, he was supposed to inherit the family business of agriculture. Before graduating from Gangjin Agricultural High School in Jeonnam, he tried to enter the College of Agriculture at Seoul National University. Then, following the advice of the homeroom teacher, 'The sea is an eternal treasure of resource', she decided to enter National Fisheries University of Busan (present Pukyong National University)."

The story of Kim Jae-cheol, a high school student who was an honorable student, entered the National Fisheries University of Busan in 1954, is well-known to others. Let us take a closer look on the story. Choi Seok-jin, a high school teacher of Mr. Kim, had graduated from Seoul National University. The teacher said to the students in the classroom one day.

'Guys, most of you think that Seoul National University is the best, but if you graduate there, you will only do crosstalk for your whole life like me. If I were you, I would enroll fisheries university.

After hearing this, Mr. Kim went to the school office and asked 'what kind of school is there in the sea school?' to his teacher, and the teacher replied, 'I have no idea, but I would say, the way we can live is in the sea.'

He found out that there is the National Fisheries University of Busan, and the best department is called the Department of Fisheries, so he enrolled the university. And today, literally say, he became the main character who wrote the myth of success with 'empty hand', he became the founder of Dongwon Group and Korea Investment Holdings., Ltd.

Let us go back to the Korea Economic Daily article.

The article said, "Chairman Kim turned to agriculture again from the end of his 50 years entrepreneur life last year. One year ago, he built vinyl greenhouses at a smart farm factory next to the group training center in Janghowon, Icheon, Gyeonggi. It is a place to grow lettuce by hydroponics."

The article added, "In order to be competitive with an industry that can make a living enough for itself, it is necessary to secure a smart farm technology suitable for domestic conditions." The article said, "For that reason, the research undertaken by Mr. Kim was hydroponic cultivation. Since it does not require soil, it has the advantage that it can be applied not only in rural areas but also in cities."

However, the article introduced that Dongwon does not advance into agriculture. The goal of Mr. Kim is to 'give the wings of global competitiveness to domestic agriculture through long-term investment in technology'.

His sight is set on a bigger catch.

“Mr. Kim's final goal is to commercialize 'Aquaponics', which uses fish to grow agricultural products. A cultivation method that uses compost from the fish farming process as compost."  Aquaponics is a compound word of 'Aquaculture' and 'Hydroponics'.

The article said, “When Mr. Kim led Dongwon, he emphasized the management principle of 'A person is bound to be failed, both leaving main job or only devoting on the main job.'" and added, "'It is an evaluation both in and outside the group that 'Kim continues to adhere to this principle even after retirement'" Mr. Kim's challenge is still ongoing. <Pukyong Today>