Former Speaker of South Korean National Assembly Visits for Continuous Friendship

On October 14, 2014, Mr. Kim Hyung-oh, Former Speaker of the South Korean National Assembly and Honorary Doctor of Tianjin University (TJU) visited TJU and held discussions with representatives of TJU and the South Korean students on campus. He was accompanied by Yang Guobiao, Deputy Director from the Foreign Affairs Office of Tianjin Municipal People's Government.

Afterwards, the TJU Chairman of the University CPC Standing Committee Liu Jianping and Dr. Kim Hyung-oh jointly dug the ground and watered the “China-South Korean Friendship Tree”. The tree was planted by Dr. Kim Hyung-oh when he visited TJU in April, 2010. In November, 2009, he visited TJU and was awarded an honorary doctorate.

TJU President Li Jiajun held a talk with Dr. Kim Hyung-oh. After providing an overview of TJU’s development and construction of its new campus, President Li expressed his praise and appreciation to Dr. Kim Hyung-oh for his contributions to the cooperation between TJU and South Korean universities, as well as fostering the cooperation between the two countries. President Li then extended an invitation to Dr. Kim Hyung-oh to give lectures during his attendance at his Alma Mater – TJU’s 120th anniversary celebration next year. Dr. Kim Hyung-oh pleasantly accepted the invitation, and during that time next year, he said he would plant another “China-South Korean Friendship Tree” at TJU’s new campus.

Dr. Kim Hyung-oh said that he values his close ties with TJU. As an honorary doctor of TJU, he is proud and willing to do his bit to build the collaboration between TJU and the South Korean universities. Now as a Guest Professor at the Pusan National University of South Korea, he hoped to facilitate the cooperation on student exchange programs, joint research mechanism, and professor exchanges between TJU and Pusan National University.

At the discussion with students, Dr. Kim Hyung-oh expressed his delight in returning to his Alma Mater. He shared with them his recent work and activities, his viewpoint of history and peace, and his great hope for the students.