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Yonsei News

[YONSEI NEWS] The 3rd Memorial Service for Dr. Il-han Won (H. G. Underwood)

연세대학교 홍보팀 / news@yonsei.ac.kr
2007-02-21

The 3rd memorial service for Dr. Il-han Won was held at Seoul Cemetery for Foreigners in Yangwhajin, January 15. About 100 people attended the service, including President Chang-Young Jung, University Chaplain In-chol Han, and directors of Foundation. Dr. Il-han Won was the grandson of Du-woo Won (H. G. Underwood), founder of Yonsei University. He followed the footsteps of his grandfather and devoted his whole life to Yonsei and Korea. Du-woo Won took his first step in Korea as a missionary and founded Yonhee College. His son Han-Kyung and then his grandson Il-han carried on his vision and made today’s Yonsei University. Il-han Won was one of the most important figures in the development of Yonsei. He taught at Yonsei, took several positions including acting President of the University, and served for a long time as a board member of the educational foundation. Dr. Il-han Won also joined in the Korean War and represented the UN and Korea as the head interpreter in the truce talks. He was at the center of the diplomatic relations between Korea and the US, taking a major role in the formation of mutual understanding and trust. He passed away January 15, 2004 and was buried at Seoul Cemetery for Foreigners in Yangwhajin.