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Alum Jeong-seop Seo (Law, ’58), who currently serves as Chairman of DONGSIN Tube Glass Ind Co., Ltd., has donated 200 million KRW to his alma mater as a development fund

The donation will be used for the University’s Science and Technology Development Support Program, bringing Alum Seo’s cumulative contributions to Kyung Hee to 509 million KRW. Rooted in a deep conviction in science and technology, his philanthropy reflects formative experiences from his youth, when he worked to support himself financially while pursuing his studies. Often struggling to cover tuition and graduating three years later than his peers, Alum Seo came to more deeply appreciate the value of learning and the principles instilled by Kyung Hee—values that have continued to guide his commitment to the University.

Alum Seo said, “I have always felt deeply grateful to my alma mater,” adding that he has tried to turn that gratitude into action by supporting the University whenever possible. His affection for Kyung Hee, he explained, naturally grew into a strong belief in the importance of advancing science and technology. Reflecting on his early years as an entrepreneur, he recalled, “Even after founding my company, I continued to seek out technology and learning, no matter how difficult the circumstances were.”

“In lean times, technology was my only hope”: a lifelong resolve forged through science
After founding DONGSIN in 1969, Alum Seo entered the market for pharmaceutical glass containers at a time when technological independence in Korea’s pharmaceutical packaging sector was urgently needed. Products such as ampoules and vials are directly tied to public health, yet domestic technological capabilities were extremely limited. Alum Seo chose to confront these challenges head-on. “The lack of technology was the greatest obstacle,” he said, explaining that he decided to overcome it by mastering the technology himself, a period marked by relentless, day-and-night research and development.

His perseverance bore fruit. Korea became the world’s second country, after Japan, to manufacture one-point cut ampoules—containers designed to minimize glass fragments when opened, a critical innovation for ensuring pharmaceutical safety. Looking back, Alum Seo recalled, “When one-point cut ampoules were just beginning to be introduced in European medical journals, we were already supplying them domestically.” Securing proprietary technology became the driving force behind DONGSIN’s rise to the top of the domestic market, where it now holds a 35 percent share of the pharmaceutical glass container sector. This technological expertise later expanded to vials used for vaccines and anticancer drugs, and from the late 1980s, the company began exporting its products to overseas markets, including Japan and the United States.

A founder who turned conviction into legacy: “technology opens the door to the world”
Alum Seo’s donation goes beyond financial support; it represents an investment in the future grounded in his lifelong convictions. In 2021, he also donated 200 million KRW to Kyung Hee, with the funds allocated to quantum research. The donation has supported the establishment of experimental infrastructure, including the Quantum Fab, at the International Center for Quantum Matter, founded last year. The Quantum Fab serves as a core facility for advancing quantum science and fostering future industries.

Reflecting on his journey, Alum Seo said, “After graduating and starting my business, I continued to study technology while doing my best not to lose the wisdom I learned at Kyung Hee,” adding that “only science and technology that others cannot replicate can truly lead us onto the global stage.” He went on to emphasize, “If my alma mater is to lead the future, strengthening its scientific and technological capabilities is essential,” and expressed his hope that “The University will build on its founding philosophy and continue striving to grow into a world-class university in science and technology.”