Labor economics professor dies at 94

Kim Yoon-hwan

By Jhoo Dong-chan

Kim Yoon-hwan, a professor emeritus in labor economics at Korea University, died of a chronic ailment Wednesday, according to his family. He was 94.

Kim is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

A memorial altar has been set up at Korea University Anam Hospital in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. His funeral will be held in Pocheon, north of Seoul, Friday.

Born in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, in 1921, Kim graduated from the university in 1950 after studying economics. He then received his Ph.D. at the school in 1969.

He had served as a professor at the university for 22 years until he retired in 1986.

In 1965, Kim established the Labor Economy Institute affiliated with Korea University in an effort to raise awareness of labor issues. His effort became a stepping stone for creating the Korean Labor Economic Association (KLEA) in 1976. He was the first president of the association.

The KLEA is a leading academic institute in labor economics.

The military regimes in the 1970s and 1980s, however, branded him as a rebellious scholar, forcing the university to dismiss him several times for his activism for workers’ rights.

His continuing activism and efforts for economic democratization led to his receiving the Dasan Economics Award in 2003.

The award established by the local business paper, the Korea Economic Daily, is for outstanding contributions in the field of economics.