Served as foundation's fifth chair since 2024
Jeong Mu-seong, chair of the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation, died Friday at the age of 68.
Born in 1959, Jeong earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Soongsil University, a master's degree in social welfare from Seoul National University, and a doctorate in welfare administration from the University of Chicago.
Jeong went on to serve as a professor at Soongsil University, holding a range of leadership roles that included the fifth president of Soongsil Cyber University, the 38th president of the Korean Academy of Social Welfare, chair of the policy committee at the Gyeonggi Province Welfare Foundation, and vice president of the Korean Council on Social Welfare.
Jeong received two presidential commendations for contributions to social welfare development at the national and local government levels, and was widely regarded as an expert in corporate social responsibility research and strategic consulting for domestic and international companies.
Jeong took office as the fifth chair of the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation in January 2024. During the tenure, Jeong led efforts to restructure the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Scholarship, launch an integrated startup support brand called "Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Entrepreneurship," and establish the CMK Social Welfare Innovation Leaders Academy, steering the foundation's work toward nurturing future talent and advancing sustainable social innovation.
Throughout a career in social welfare, Jeong emphasized a people-centered philosophy of giving, often saying that "it is important to foster the development of the social welfare sector and build a warm ecosystem of sharing that cares for people's hearts."
The funeral will be held under the auspices of the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation, with the funeral home located at Room 30 of Asan Medical Center's funeral hall. The departure ceremony is set for 6 a.m. Sunday, with burial at Ilsan Jahayeon Family Park. Jeong is survived by a spouse, Jeong Ju-yeon, and children Jeong Ji-young and Jeong Ji-yun.
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