Memories of Maeheon and Yeongang
Lee Hun-jai Former prime minister
His life was typical for packmen during the Joseon Dynasty. He personified the thriftiness and pride of merchants. He also was a patriot, engaging in the National Debt Repayment Movement and leading the merchant delegations to the funerals of Gojong and Sunjong.
Yeongang Park Too-pyong, Maeheon’s eldest son, inherited his father’s philosophy and discipline and built Doosan Group. He was a compassionate but strong leader who followed firm principles, but solved problems gently. When he took office as chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) in 1967, I was teaching economics at Seoul National University and working with the Korea Economic Institute Center to publish reports. Whenever I dropped by the Sogong-dong KCCI headquarters, Yeongang gave me a warm welcome, despite his busy schedule. He graduated from Gyeongseong Commercial High School 11 years earlier than I. I was given a lot of love as a junior to him. I still have a vivid memory of him seeing me off at his office door, saying, “Please stop by more often.”
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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