The Korea Higher Education Foundation, a nonprofit established by the late Chairman Jeonghyun Chey of SK Group, celebrated its 50th anniversary on November 26. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — The Korea Higher Education Foundation, a nonprofit established by the late Chairman Jeonghyun Chey of SK Group, celebrated its 50th anniversary on November 26.
Founded with a personal donation of 55.4 million Korean won, the foundation has supported over 5,100 scholars over the past five decades. Choi’s vision for the foundation was rooted in his belief that investing in education, especially in social sciences, was key to solving future societal problems as Korea prospered.
During a special event at the Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul, the foundation hosted the Future Talent Conference. The first session explored innovative science and technology, while the afternoon featured a panel discussion on the qualities needed for future leaders in the 21st century.
SK Group Chairman Tae-won Chey, also the chairman of the foundation, personally participated in the panel, reflecting on his late father’s vision and the evolving criteria for identifying talent.
Chey shared insights into his father’s original concept when founding the foundation: selecting promising individuals based on academic excellence, regardless of their financial background, and sending them abroad to cultivate their potential.
“Back then, sending students abroad for advanced studies was a challenge, and we needed to identify those who could survive in such environments,” he explained.
However, he emphasized that the foundation’s criteria for selecting scholars had evolved. “We no longer need to send students overseas for education, as we can cultivate talent locally. More importantly, we’re focusing on individuals with strong personal values and clear goals, rather than just academic performance,” he said.
The panel also featured distinguished scholars such as Jin-hyung Lee, a professor at Stanford University, who argued that the rapid pace of change in the 21st century requires individuals with a strong value system to make quick decisions.
Seoul National University professor Suk-jae Lee highlighted the rise of artificial intelligence, noting that the notion of human dignity will increasingly be questioned, emphasizing the importance of qualities like autonomy and empathy.
Chey further elaborated on these qualities using the terms “location” and “design.” “A true talent is someone who can define their current position, set a direction, and solve problems,” he explained.
“Design capability, the ability to define problems and allocate resources effectively, will be critical in the future.”
He also distinguished between knowledge, wisdom, and intellect, noting that the future will require individuals who can collectively create intelligence through collaboration, not just personal knowledge.
“The sustainability of society depends on collective intelligence,” Chey stated.
In addition to redefining talent, Chey discussed the need for a shift in how society evaluates individuals. He criticized the current system for focusing solely on financial success, rather than recognizing social value.
“Those who create social value should also be able to achieve financial success and honor,” he said, advocating for a system that can objectively measure social contributions.
Chey also highlighted the need for changes in personnel evaluation systems, which traditionally focus on past achievements. “We need to evaluate individuals based on what they can contribute in the future, not just what they’ve done in the past,” he concluded.
The conference and Chey’s remarks underscored a broader reflection on how talent is defined and nurtured in an era of rapid technological and social change.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
