Retirement of Professor Kim Icksoo…”Retirement is not a full stop, it is a semicolon”

The retirement ceremony of Professor Kim Icksoo, who has been striving to educate future scholars for 26 years at Korea University Business School(Dean=Dr. Bae, Johngseok), was held on last February 24^th(Wed) at the Ahn-Young-Il Hall of LG-POSCO Building. The ceremony was finally resumed due to the spread of COVID-19 in 2020. Only a minimum number of people attended the ceremony while thoroughly following the quarantine regulations, and fellow professors and students who could not attend to celebrate Professor Kim Icksoo's retirement through the online live broadcast.

Professor Pyun, Ju Hyun, the head professor of the International Business area (Professor Kim Icksoo’s major) started the ceremony by introducing a sketch of Professor Kim’s life. Professor Kim Icksoo entered KUBS in 1973, and after passing the Public Officer Qualification Exam while attending school, he resigned from his career as a public officer and started studying abroad. He earned a master's and doctorate degree economics from Oxford University in the United Kingdom. After being appointed to Korea University Business School in 1995, he worked as a pioneer in Chinese economy and market strategy research to educate students.

Following the introduction of Professor Kim, Dean of KUBS Dr. Bae, Johngseok gave a speech by saying “We would like to thank you for your effort as a representative of KUBS”, and passed on his words “I respect the academic expertise and influence of Professer Kim Icksoo, a pioneer in Chinese-related research”.

Professor Kim Icksoo then received a government citation for his contribution to the development of national education. He also received a plaque of appreciation from KUBS for contributing to the development of the school with dedicating lectures and academic achievements.

Professor Kim Icksoo expressed his feelings by speaking in his retirement speech, “Retirement is usually considered as something sad, but on the one hand, I am excited to be able to write a book that communicates with the public or engage in various activities without the pressure of research or thesis”. He also said “Retirement is not a full stop, it is a semicolon (;)” and added “I don’t know what will happen in the future, but my retirement is not the end of my life or studies.” Professor Kim Icksoo ended his memorable retirement speech by reciting Li Bai’s Chinese Poem ‘Haengronan(行路難)’ in both Chinese and Korean.

After Professor Kim’s retirement speech, valedictory speeches of his fellow professors continued. Professor Lee Doo-Hee applauded by saying “Professor Kim Icksoo showed his excellent academic ability, Chinese proficiency, passion of coaching undergraduate student clubs for a long time, and dedication to his family” and added, “He is like a glowing rainbow which and gives hope and sets an example to other people”. The retirement ceremony ended with a congratulatory video of Professor Kim’s students which left us with gentle touching and impression.