Global Economic Times

The pride of Ulsan Metropolitan City! The pride of the world! ‘Jongha Innovation Center’ opening ceremony held: LEE YEON SIL / Updated : 2024-11-09 17:40:23

▲6223 Future Forum Core Members, Chairman Go Dong-rok, Dr. Hwang Jong-hwan, Chairman Kim Jong-hwan, CEO Jeong Yeon-jin, Chairman Lee Dong-hwan (from left)

The opening ceremony of the 'Jongha Innovation Center' in Ulsan Metropolitan City was held in a grand manner. This project, carried out with Chairman Lee Jong-ha's donation of 33 billion won, involves the construction of a building with 1 underground floor and 6 above-ground floors, with a total floor area of 19,905㎡. A government budget of 1 billion won and a city budget of 19.2 billion won will also be invested, allowing Ulsan City to complete internal interior and facility-specific equipment construction.

Once the interior construction is completed, major facilities will open sequentially from January to March next year. It will be reborn as a complex space that can be used by a variety of people, from local children to young people and the elderly. The main facilities include a coding and software education space to nurture future 'international innovative talent', a start-up space to support youth, and a youth support center, where you can enjoy a variety of cultural and sports activities. A children's and youth library and Jongha Gymnasium will also be built.

Mayor of Ulsan Metropolitan City Kim Doo-gyeom said, “We will honor the will of the donation and do our best to transform it into a complex space for culture, sports, education, and entrepreneurship where future generations, who will become Ulsan’s leading figures, can enjoy, learn, and pursue their dreams.” Meanwhile, the existing ‘Jongha Gymnasium’ was built with 12,740㎡ of land in Sinjeong-dong, Nam-gu donated by Chairman Lee Joo-yong’s father, the late Lee Jong-ha, and a construction cost of 130 million won at the time.

It was completed in September 1977 with a total area of 2,563㎡ and seating for 1,200 spectators, and has been loved by Ulsan citizens as an indoor sports facility and multi-purpose facility. At that time, there was not even a decent gym in Ulsan. Ulsan, the city that feeds the Republic of Korea, should be rewarded greatly at the government level, and the value of Ulsan should be widely known at home and abroad.

The words “living well” and “living well” refer to a life that becomes the light and salt of society. Such people are praised for generations to come. It is said that money is difficult to make, but it is even more difficult to spend it. In the case of the wealthy and powerful, it is easy for them to lose their balance. Many wealthy people throughout human history whose names we do not even know today. This is because he was only pampering himself.

Those who practice love by sharing what they have with their neighbors are different. It is praised even after a thousand years have passed. In our history, there are cases where several families, including the Gyeongju Choi family, practiced noblesse oblige. There was also Mrs. Kim Man-deok in Jeju. The sharing of wealth that began during the Japanese colonial era in the 20th century and continues through generations into the 21st century is even more special for Ulsan Lee Jong-ha's family. As a prominent member of the local community, they set an example in all aspects as social leaders.

It is on a different level from the donations made by some low-income earners or politicians who give away three or four boxes of ramen or 100 briquettes to boost their image during the election season. I saw them handing out supplies to areas where poor people live and taking 200 more commemorative photos. Chairman Lee Joo-yong went on stage at the opening ceremony and simply said, “I have nothing to say.” If you don't humble yourself, such expressions will never come out. It was nice to see him have the virtue of humility and I respect him.

Everyone comes with their bare hands and leaves with their bare hands when they die. Most people don't feel like spending even 10,000 won of the money they have earned on someone else's behalf. Mr. Lee, who lives in the Gyeonggi-do area, owns a lot of real estate across the country. The land alone is worth hundreds of billions of won, but it is difficult to spend more than 10,000 won.

Humans are basically born with selfish genes. It is not easy to do even one good deed. However, continuing a generous donation for three generations is not something that everyone can do. Having money does not mean donating or doing good deeds. This is possible only with a spirit of love for the people and a sense of social responsibility. How many people in this era only practice love with their mouths?

The completion ceremony of the Jongha Innovation Center is very meaningful. The generous donation that has been passed down through three generations is likely to continue in the future as well. The beautiful story that led to Mr. Lee Jong-ha and Chairman Lee Joo-yong proves him. And I respect the noble spirit of the three generations of CEO Lee Sang-hyeon of KCC Information and Communication, a member of the ‘6223 Future Forum’ and the official sponsor of the forum.

'6223 Future Forum' Chairman Lee Chae-pil and his wife, Chairman Lee Il-geol, Dr. Hwang Jong-hwan, Chairman Go Dong-rok, and Ulsan's Chairman Kim Dong-hwan, Chairman Kim Jong-hwan, Chairman Lee Jeong-woo, Chairman Jeong Hae-jo, Committee Member Lee Sang-do, and Committee Member Kim Sang-hyuk, these people have greatly contributed to the development of their country. These are people who came all the way from Seoul with a love for Ulsan Metropolitan City