현승종 玄勝鍾
Legal scholar, university president and 24th Prime Minister of Korea
| Life | 1919 ~ 2020 |
| Era | 대한민국 |
| Clan | 연주 현씨 |
Life & career
Hyeon Seung-jong (1919-2020), born in Gaecheon, South Pyongan, was a legal scholar and educator of the Yeonju Hyeon clan, pen name Chunjae. He graduated from Keijo Imperial University in law in 1943, served in the Japanese army as a lieutenant, and after liberation joined the Republic of Korea Air Force in 1949, fought in the Korean War and retired as lieutenant colonel in 1957.
He taught at Korea University, was president of Sungkyunkwan University (1974-1980) and Hallym University (1989-1992), and served as the 24th Prime Minister from October 1992 to February 1993, the oldest holder of the post.
He later chaired the Hallym Academy of Sciences, the Konkuk University board and UNICEF Korea (1994-2010). He died in Seoul at 101.
Study and Military Service
He graduated from Pyongyang High School and Keijo Imperial University and served in the Japanese army in 1943. This page states that fact without a judgment. After liberation he served in the Air Force through the Korean War.
Universities
He taught law at Korea University, led Sungkyunkwan (1974-1980) and Hallym (1989-1992), and received honorary doctorates from Korea University and National Chengchi University in Taiwan.
Prime Minister
He served as the 24th Prime Minister from October 1992 to February 1993, the oldest holder of the office, then returned to academic and educational bodies.
UNICEF Korea and Later Years
He chaired UNICEF Korea from 1994 to June 2010 and the 2008 national 60th anniversary committee, and died in May 2020 at 101.
Grave
The grave was not confirmed.
Descendants
Three sons and a daughter; his third son Hyeon Seon-hae is a Sungkyunkwan professor and former vice president.