Catholic university in South Korea given US$9 million

Scientist's huge donation will be used for medical research with an emphasis on respect for life.

The Catholic Saving Life Research Fund receives a huge donation of 10 billion won in a ceremony in Seoul on Dec. 10. (Photo supplied)

Seoul:  A renowned South Korean life scientist has donated 10 billion won (about US$9 million) to a Catholic university for ethical research and development.

Prof. Young-chul Sung of Pohang University of Science and Technology (Postech) gave the huge sum to the college of medicine at the Catholic University of Korea (CUK).

A ceremony was held in Seoul Archdiocese on Dec. 10 for the Catholic Saving Life Research Fund, where Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, who is the archbishop of Seoul and chairman of the board of the Catholic Education Foundation, accepted the donation.

"For me as a scientist while collaborating for research with CUK, it was impressive and moving to see its commitment to respect for life in every aspect of research, unlike other medical institutes. That's why I decided to donate to CUK's college of medicine," said Prof. Sung, who served as the first director of Postech-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute (PCBMI).

CUK's college of medicine founded the research fund to build research infrastructure for the university's Institute of Biomedical Industry (IBI).

Cardinal Yeom said the pro-life movement cannot be progressed without the support of science.

"I highly appreciate Prof. Sung's persistent and consistent research work. CUK IBI should grow to become the best institute putting the Catholic spirit of respect for life at the center of every research activity while living the mystery of life through the implementation of the Catholic Saving Life Research Fund," he said.

PCBMI is a joint research affiliation between Postech and CUK's college of medicine. Since its launch in 2005, it has been a base camp for research to combine each university's original technologies and clinical studies.

Prof. Sung has won several awards for his efforts to protect the dignity of life and support research to develop treatments for incurable diseases.

Source: UCAN