Changwon National University names library after donor Choi Chung-kyung

Changwon National University has renamed its central library the Choi Chung-kyung Library after Choi Chung-kyung (최충경), chairman of Gyeongnam Steel (경남스틸). The university held a naming and plaque-unveiling ceremony at 11:00 on 20 October on the library's first floor, marking the completion of the remodelling, according to Chosun Ilbo and Seoul Shinmun. Yonhap and Newsis had reported on 19 October that the university announced the renaming and would hold the ceremony the next day. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]

Choi has given 2 billion won in total to the university's development fund, including the money for the remodelling. Chosun Ilbo reported that he has donated since 1997 and received a doctorate in business administration from the university in 2001. It said the university decided to dedicate his name to the library permanently under its rules for donors of 1 billion won or more. Seoul Economic Daily and Seoul Shinmun said he has supported the university for more than 30 years, serving as head of its Gisunghoe, its supporters' association and as honorary president. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]

The outlets also described Choi's support for the wider community. He helped build a dormitory and gymnasium at Masan Changshin High School, set up the Songwon scholarship foundation at the university and took part in founding the Gyeongnam Opera Company (경남오페라단) and the Gyeongnam Jazz Orchestra (경남재즈오케스트라). He served as head of the Changwon Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is now chair of the Gyeongnam Social Integration Committee. Chosun Ilbo added that he received the Gyeongnam Education Prize and the Gyeongnam Culture Prize. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]

The remodelling turned the learning-focused library into a multipurpose cultural space, the university said. The first-floor lobby now has an exhibition space and the second floor has a reading and rest area. The library is open to university members and local residents and has about 700,000 users a year. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]

Choi said the wealth entrepreneurs achieve is not the result of their effort alone, and that returning part of it to society so that the sharing leads to wider development is a value society should carry on. He hoped the gift would be a starting point for younger business people to take an interest in the university. According to Chosun Ilbo, he also said there can be no good company without good talent and that he hoped more buildings bearing names would appear at the university. A university official said Choi's sincerity toward the region and his alma mater had deeply moved university members, and, as quoted by Seoul Economic Daily and Seoul Shinmun, expected the gift to bring new energy to stagnant regional universities. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]

Chosun Ilbo listed those present at the ceremony: Choi, Gyeongnam Steel chief executive Choi Seok-woo (최석우), university president Park Min-won (박민원), alumni association head Kim Jae-heung (김재흥) and former Gyeongnam education superintendent Park Jong-hoon (박종훈). Gyeongnam Governor Park Wan-su sent a video message hoping corporate giving would strengthen the university and that its graduates would in turn lead regional industry. [ 5 ]