140th Anniversary Commemorative Address
Distinguished guests, beloved members of the Yonsei community,
It is a great honor to welcome you all to this momentous occasion. First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Speaker of the National Assembly, the Honorable Woo Won-shik, as well as Members of the National Assembly, the Honorable Bae June-Young and the Honorable Ihn Yo-han, and to all esteemed leaders from the political and business communities who have graciously joined us despite their demanding schedules. I also deeply thank Honorable Chairman Hur Dong-soo and Members of the Board of Trustees, President of the Yonsei Alumni Association Lee Kyoung-Ryul and our former presidents including Dr. Kim Byung-Soo. I am equally grateful to our 400,000 Yonsei alumni around the world, our dedicated faculty, staff, and above all, our students – the future of Yonsei – who have graced this celebration with their presence. Thank you all for being here.
Today, we stand together at a historic crossroads. A single seed sown 140 years ago by missionaries Allen, Underwood, and Avison has grown into a thriving forest of intellect, shining brightly across Korea and beyond. Throughout its 140 years, Yonsei has shared in the trials of Korea’s modern history, continually paving the way for hope for the nation, for society, and for humanity. On this very ground, we have upheld the spirit of truth and freedom, cultivating a noble sanctuary of learning, safeguarding the spirit of our people. Even amid the turbulent tides of history – through liberation and the Korean War – Yonsei’s unwavering passion became a cornerstone for Korea’s reconstruction. The noble dreams fostered within Yonsei became guiding lights for progress across politics, economics, society, and culture. Today, Yonsei alumni continue to shine across the globe, each fulfilling their calling, and raising Yonsei’s name high.
Beloved Yonsei family,
At Yonsei, we have never been content with past achievements. Guided by the spirit of “The First, The Best,” we have continuously reimagined education and expanded the frontiers of research to meet the demands of our time. These efforts have propelled Yonsei into the ranks of the world’s top 50 universities – a testament to our relentless pursuit of excellence. Notably, our Department of Public Policy and Management made history by being ranked 6th globally — a milestone achievement for Yonsei. This success is but one reflection of our broader commitment to creating new possibilities in education and research. Now, we look beyond current achievements, seeking to further expand the horizons of knowledge, nurture leaders who will shape the future of humanity, and join hands with the world to offer solutions to global challenges.
First, we will become a global hub for convergent research and innovation.
Since 2024, Yonsei has secured seven major national research projects, totaling more than 120 billion KRW, showcasing the remarkable research capacity and academic creativity of our faculty. We are making groundbreaking strides in cutting-edge industries such as AI, batteries, semiconductors, and biotechnology. With Korea’s first quantum computer now in operation at the newly opened Yonsei Quantum Complex at our International Campus, Yonsei will open new horizons in industries and academia.
Yonsei’s innovation is also breaking down disciplinary boundaries through transdisciplinary convergence research, launching projects that address humanity’s pressing challenges and contribute meaningfully to national and global advancement. New research institutes — such as the Yonsei AI Innovation Institute (supported by major Korean corporations), the Institute on Population and Human Capital (jointly founded by the College of Medicine and the College of Commerce and Economics), the Institute for Contemporary Culture and Art, the Bio-Y Biomedical Engineering Convergence Institute, and Underwood & Avison Science Institute — are leading examples of Yonsei’s pioneering new models of research excellence.
We are also investing boldly in nurturing the next generation of scholars. Yonsei has introduced the Yonsei Doctoral Fellowship — Korea’s first fixed-amount scholarship for all regular term doctoral students across all disciplines — dramatically improving research environments and attracting world-class talent.
Second, we are pursuing educational innovation to cultivate holistic leaders who embody the spirit of Yonsei.
In today’s complex world, we urgently need leaders who combine deep humanistic insight with cutting-edge expertise. The answers to humanity’s challenges often emerge where different disciplines and perspectives intersect. Rooted in our founding values — the pursuit of truth and the respect for human dignity — Yonsei is transforming its education model by integrating curricula, enhancing digital education, and expanding student-centered projects.
New initiatives such as ‘Individualized Convergent Studies’ and the ‘Open Major System’ (to be applied to about 25% of incoming students starting in 2026) will be crucial drivers of interdisciplinary education. By 2028, the first generation of students educated under Korea’s integrated liberal arts and sciences curriculum will enter Yonsei, and we are preparing to fully embrace their diversity and potential. Through AI-driven personalized education, the "Y-Pathfinding" model, and expanded interdisciplinary programs, Yonsei is leading a transformative wave of creativity and openness in higher education.
To stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s finest universities, we must also strengthen global sensibilities and foster an open academic environment. Although Yonsei’s proportion of international students is currently lower than global standards, we see this as both a challenge and an opportunity. We are expanding English-taught programs, increasing support for international research collaboration, and enhancing support services for foreign students — building a truly global hub where young talents from every corner of the world can design their futures and work together to solve humanity’s challenges.
Third, we will broaden the horizons of international cooperation, connecting the world through Yonsei.
Yonsei currently maintains exchange agreements with 732 universities in 78 countries, operating some of the largest and most prestigious international programs in Korea. Each year, approximately 6,000 overseas students study at Yonsei, and around 9,000 students learn Korean at the Yonsei Korean Language Institute. Our vision — "Yonsei Connects the World" — is being realized on a global scale.
We are also accelerating strategic partnerships with the global academic community.
Hosting the IAMC (Integrated Assessment Modeling Consortium) conference, Yonsei has emerged as a leading university in climate policy research. In addition, we will host RECOMB 2025 (Research in Computational Molecular Biology) — one of the most prestigious conferences in computational molecular biology — for the first time in Korea. In response to Korea’s historic entry as an associate member of Horizon Europe, Yonsei is deepening collaborations with leading European research universities, including Cambridge, University College London, the University of Helsinki, and the University of Geneva. These efforts are solidifying Yonsei’s foundation for international leadership and enabling us to play a key role in shaping global governance.
Dear esteemed Yonsei family,
We cannot, and will not, stop here.
We must prepare for a new future.
The rapid advance of science and technology, the climate crisis, and demographic changes all challenge the very purpose of universities. In facing these questions, Yonsei will respond with its vision: Pursuing Truth and Freedom, Unlocking Human Potential.
This endeavor is intimately connected to the Next Nobel Project. Last fall, alumna Han Kang’s Nobel Prize in Literature marked a milestone that illuminated Yonsei’s rich literary and humanistic heritage on the global stage. Her works, translated into dozens of languages, continue to touch the hearts of readers worldwide. We are overjoyed and deeply moved by this extraordinary achievement, and through the Next Nobel Project, we seek to honor and further this legacy, broadening the horizons of hope and solidarity for a better future.
Through this initiative, Yonsei is committed to cultivating the next generation of global scholars and creative leaders rooted in the humanities, the arts, and foundational disciplines. We are expanding research infrastructure, fostering industry-academia collaboration, and enhancing research capabilities so that Yonsei's contributions can immediately impact society and industry.
Through closer partnerships with private enterprises and continuous improvement of our research facilities, Yonsei will strengthen its global competitiveness. We will actively support promising young researchers and expand their participation in global research initiatives.
The true driving force behind all these transformations is, ultimately, people. Believing that Yonsei’s students will make the world a better place, countless supporters continue to pour their dedication and generosity into our university. Today, I offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed their noble and generous spirit to Yonsei’s advancement. We will honor your trust and aspirations, dedicating ourselves fully to living up to your hopes. Every donor’s commitment will be deeply etched into Yonsei’s history as we break boundaries of knowledge, foster convergence across disciplines, and move boldly toward the center of the world.
Above all, we will nurture warm-hearted leaders who bring positive change to society.
Beloved Yonsei family,
Yonsei’s 140-year history is filled with brilliant achievements. Yet the true greatness of Yonsei lies not in those accomplishments, but in the noble founding spirit that made them possible.
Our commitment to truth and freedom led the movement for Korean independence, drove the democratization and industrialization of our nation, and now, nourished by that luminous legacy, we stand tall in the world — a university responding to humanity’s challenges through educational innovation and cutting-edge research.
Today, standing here with all of you, reflecting on Yonsei’s 140 years, reaffirming our spirit, and planning for the future, I am filled with deep gratitude. The journey toward Yonsei’s future continues with renewed vigor. Building upon our 140-year tradition, we will walk onward — toward greater intellect, deeper humanity, and a more peaceful world.
On this occasion marking the 140th anniversary of Yonsei University, I offer my heartfelt thanks to all those who are with us.
May you continue to walk with us on Yonsei’s bright journey ahead.
May God's grace and blessings fill Yonsei’s future — and all our lives.
Thank you.
May 10, 2025
Dong-Sup Yoon
President, Yonsei University