Kim Seong-su was a leader in Korea. 
Kim Seong-su was a leader in Korea. 
He loved to learn. He studied many old books. He also went to a school in Japan.
He worked in many ways. He ran a cloth business. He also started a big newspaper.
He wanted to help others learn. He helped start a large school. This school is now called Korea University.
He even helped lead his land. He served as a vice president. He was a very busy man.
Kim Seong-su was a busy leader in Korea. 
Kim did many different jobs. He ran a business that made cloth. He also helped start a big newspaper. This newspaper is called The Dong-A Ilbo. He wanted to help people in Korea. He led a movement to encourage people to buy Korean goods.
Kim also cared about schools. He was a principal at several schools. He helped start Korea University. This was a big step for learning in his country. After Korea gained independence, Kim worked in politics. He was elected as the second Vice President of South Korea. He held this job from 1951 to 1952. He left that role after one year. He died in 1955. People still honor his memory today with an award.
Kim Seong-su was a very busy man in Korean history. 
As a young boy, Kim studied many difficult books. He read about history and philosophy from many different places. He learned from old texts like "Sohak" and the teachings of Confucius. He also enjoyed reading about the history of the Three Kingdoms. Later, he went to study in Japan. He attended Waseda University in Tokyo. There, he studied political science and economics. He graduated from that university in 1914.
Kim used his education to start many new things. He took over a school called Central School in 1915. He worked hard to pay its debts and became its principal. He also started businesses that made cloth and thread. In 1919, he helped plan the March 1st Movement. This was a very important time for Korean independence. He also helped start a famous newspaper called The Dong-A Ilbo. He used this paper to lead the Goods Encouragement Movement.
Education was one of his most important jobs. He was the principal of several different schools. In 1937, he played a huge role in founding Korea University. This school started from the Bosung Professional School. After Korea gained independence, he entered the world of politics. He joined the Korean Democratic Party in 1947. In 1951, he was elected as the second Vice President of South Korea. He served in this role until 1952.
Kim Seong-su left a big mark on his nation. He worked in many areas to help his people. Even after he left politics, he went back to business. He died on February 18, 1955. People still remember his hard work today. In 1987, a special award called the Inchon Award was made. This award honors his memory and his many achievements. It was started by the Dong-A Ilbo Foundation.
Kim Seong-su was a highly influential figure in Korean history. 
Kim's early life was defined by intense study. He was born on October 11, 1891, in Gochang County, Joseon. As a child, he studied various classical texts at a private school. These included works like "Sohak" and "Tongmong sŏnsŭp." He also read the "Zizhi Tongjian" and studied the teachings of Confucius and Mencius. He had a deep interest in history and philosophy. He especially enjoyed reading Sima Qian's "Records of the Grand Historian" and the "Three Kingdoms."
To prepare for a professional life, Kim moved to Japan for higher education. He attended the Seisoku English School in Tokyo in 1908. Later, he transferred to Kinjo Middle School in 1909. He eventually entered the preparatory course at Waseda University in April 1910. He chose to major in Political Science and Economics. Kim graduated from Waseda University in 1914. This education provided the foundation for his future leadership in business and politics.
Upon returning to Korea, Kim focused on both education and industry. In April 1915, he took over the management of Central School. He helped the school by repaying its debts. By March 1917, he had turned Central School into a regular educational institution. He also served as its principal. At the same time, he entered the textile industry. He acquired the Kyungsung Jiknyu Joint Stock Company. He later established Kyungsung Spinning to grow his business interests.
Kim was also a key figure in Korean social and political movements. In 1919, he participated in the early planning of the March 1st Movement. This was a significant period for Korean independence. During the early 1920s, he helped establish The Dong-A Ilbo newspaper. He used this platform to lead the Goods Encouragement Movement starting in November 1922. He also worked to create a national university. In 1929, he helped found the Central Institute with a capital of 600,000 won.
Education remained a central part of Kim's legacy. He served as the principal of several institutions, including Boseong Professional School. In 1937, he played a vital role in founding what became Korea University. Originally, it was called "Ethnic Korean's Korea University." In 1946, he officially established Korea University as a national private educational institution. This was built upon the foundation of the Boseong Professional School. His efforts helped create a major center for higher learning in Korea.
After Korea gained independence, Kim entered the political arena. He played a key role in forming the Korean Democratic Party in 1947. In May 1951, he was elected as the second Vice President of South Korea. He served in the provisional capital of Busan. However, he held this position for only one year. He resigned in 1952 due to differences with President Syngman Rhee. 
Kim Seong-su died on February 18, 1955. His life had a lasting impact on the nation's development. To honor his memory, the Inchon Memorial Association and the Dong-A Ilbo Foundation created the Inchon Award. This award was established in 1987. It recognizes the achievements of a man who served his country through many different paths.
🖼️ Images & Media (2)
More to explore
✨ What else?
Related topics you might enjoy
🔬 Go deeper
More advanced topics to explore
🪜 Step back
Simpler topics to build understanding
What is Nepedia?
A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.