“I hope this helps to regain health and happiness by overcoming infectious diseases.”

This message was delivered by Chung Mong-koo, honorary chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, in 2021 when he donated 10 billion won of his personal funds for the development of an infectious disease vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic. The good seed that Chung Mong-koo donated has borne fruit as a key infrastructure for future responses to infectious diseases.

The 'Chung Mong-koo Future Medicine Center,' born from this effort, is a medical research center established by Korea University Medical Center for the purpose of studying future medicine to enhance the health and happiness of humanity. Centered around the Vaccine Innovation Center, related research facilities and advanced infrastructure have been built, providing Korea's first privately led comprehensive vaccine development platform.

The completion ceremony of the 'Chung Mong-koo Future Medicine Center' was held on the 16th at the Korea University Medical Center Mediscience Park in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Korea University Medical Center named the research center 'Chung Mong-koo Future Medicine Center' to reflect the deep intentions of Honorary Chairman Chung.

The completion ceremony of the 'Chung Mong-koo Future Medicine Center' was attended by many, including Chung Eui-sun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, the family of Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-koo, Kim Jae-ho, chairman of Korea Central Academy, and Kim Dong-won, president of Korea University, along with about 100 stakeholders from the Korea University College of Medicine and alumni association.

Chairman Chung Eui-sun stated in his remarks, “Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-koo believed that the most essential value of a corporation is the happiness of the nation, and he never hesitated to show interest and support for cultivating medical talent and treating the underprivileged, helping all of us lead healthy lives,” adding, “It is truly moving to be here where the precious intentions of the honorary chairman are realized in the name 'Chung Mong-koo Future Medicine Center.'

Chairman Chung Eui-sun also expressed his hope that “the 'Chung Mong-koo Future Medicine Center' will become a key hub to secure Korea's vaccine sovereignty and proactively respond to global health crises,” emphasizing, “I sincerely wish that the 'Chung Mong-koo Future Medicine Center' can bring 'hope' to all humanity, thanks to your dedication and efforts.

Kim Jae-ho, chairman of Korea Central Academy, stated in his commemorative speech, “The 'Chung Mong-koo Future Medicine Center' is an optimized space for vaccine research,” adding, “It was made possible by the great affection and support shown by Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-koo, asking us to contribute to overcoming the pandemic and restoring public health.” He remarked, “We will carry on the noble spirit of the donor and make the Chung Mong-koo Future Medicine Center a stage leading the development of medicine in Korea and global vaccine research.”

There was also a tape-cutting ceremony and the unveiling of a dedication plaque. The plaque installed on the first floor of the 'Chung Mong-koo Future Medicine Center' is inscribed with the message from Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-koo, which reads, “I hope this future medicine center contributes to overcoming diseases so that everyone can live a healthy life.”

The 'Chung Mong-koo Future Medicine Center' spans a total area of 12,213 square meters and is equipped with a Vaccine Innovation Research Center, a biosafety center, experimental laboratories, a gene and cell therapy research and development center, and a precision medicine center based on digital health, among other advanced treatment technology research and development centers.

Additionally, significant investments have been made in high-end advanced equipment, including a large-scale biosafety level 3 facility that deals with hazardous novel pathogens, a massive central laboratory where researchers can conduct comprehensive studies on various novel pathogens, and expensive cutting-edge devices such as IVIS optical imaging systems, imaging-based ultra-high-speed cell analysis equipment, and G3 robotic workstations.

The 'Chung Mong-koo Future Medicine Center' plays an important role as a major research hub capable of evaluating the efficacy of candidate substances essential for infectious disease research and providing a preclinical research platform, preparing for future infectious diseases that may threaten humanity.

In the 2012 Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation's social contribution white paper, Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-koo stated, “The reason why Hyundai Motor Group could grow into a global automotive maker is thanks to the overwhelming support of all citizens. I have been contemplating ways to repay this grace and help those who are in the shadow of economic growth as an entrepreneur. I hope that the underprivileged in our society can enjoy cultural benefits and have educational opportunities. I want to help them not to lose hope.”

Furthermore, Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-koo, who has emphasized the social responsibility of corporations for a well-off society, supports various activities for the underprivileged and society. Through the 'Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation,' founded with substantial personal funds, and through individual donations, efforts are being made to establish a social foundation for everyone to grow and develop together. In addition to the donations to Korea University Medical Center for vaccine development, 6 billion won was donated to Asan Medical Center for the training of excellent medical talent and the establishment of a safe hospital system.

Above all, the 'Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation' actively strives for public service in various fields such as education, medical care, and culture and arts in accordance with Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-koo’s wish to “look after those in difficult circumstances and firmly create a ladder of hope.”

In the education sector, scholarships are provided to children of deceased or disabled police officers, firefighters, and coast guard officers who have dedicated themselves to the nation and to underprivileged students, helping them to focus solely on their studies. The 'Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Scholarship' program is in place to cultivate the next generation of leaders in six key areas: global, Mirae Industries, international cooperation, social innovation, culture and arts, and social integration. It systematically supports the growth of future talent, offering high-quality scholarship benefits, growth support programs, and fellowship networks.

In the medical sector, support is provided for the medical expenses of children from economically disadvantaged families, and a program is run to support their academic and emotional well-being to enable a healthy return to society. Medical services are also being implemented in underserved areas in collaboration with leading domestic medical institutions.

In the culture and arts sector, various social contribution programs are conducted to ensure that all members of society can enjoy the emotions of culture and arts in their daily lives. Through events like the 'Gyeichon Classic Festival,' local culture and arts are being revitalized, and opportunities for performance experiences are being expanded to broaden the accessibility of culture and arts.

Efforts are being made to discover various impact startups, actively support their growth, and seek solutions to various social issues while also contributing to job creation for young people.

The Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation, in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group, has been operating the 'H-On Dream Startup Ground' to support impact startups since 2012, and in 2022 opened 'On Dream Society,' a social impact space platform in Myeongdong, Seoul, providing a space for future talent and various social ventures to operate.

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