Historic Connection Continued: Sookmyung and the Prince Uichin Memorial Foundation Forge a New Partnership
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- Writer 커뮤니케이션팀
- 보도일자 2026-03-09
Two institutions that share the imperial household of the Korean Empire as their common root have opened a new chapter of cooperation for the future, building on their deep historical ties.
On March 6, Sookmyung Women’s University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Prince Uichin Memorial Foundation at the university’s administration building in Yongsan District, Seoul.
The Prince Uichin Memorial Foundation was established in 2022 by descendants of the imperial family of the Korean Empire and works to promote the history of the royal family’s independence movement and the value of royal court culture. Sookmyung Women’s University, meanwhile, traces its origins to Myeongshin Girls’ School, founded in 1906 by Emperor Gojong and Queen Sunheon to put into practice the value of women’s education. The university celebrates its 120th anniversary this year.
The signing ceremony was hosted by Lee Hyung-jin, Dean of External Affairs at the university, and attended by key figures from the foundation including Lee Jun, Chairman of the Prince Uichin Memorial Foundation, and Lee Young-ju, its Secretary-General. Chairman Lee Jun is the great-grandson of Prince Uichin, the second son of Emperor Gojong, while Secretary-General Lee Young-ju is the direct descendant of Heungseon Daewongun—both members of the imperial lineage.
Also in attendance from the foundation were Vice Chair Lee Eun-jin, Advisor Min Kyung-chan, Public Relations Committee Chair Lee Jong-yeop, Academic Committee Member Lee Young-eun, Education Committee Member Sam Paik, Finance Committee Member Jung Dae-hwi, and Kim Yong-gwan, Head of the King Sejong Project Team. Representatives from Sookmyung Women’s University included Vice President Wee Kyung-woo, Academic Affairs Dean Yang Seung-chan, Director of the Industry–Academic Cooperation Foundation Shin Ji-young, Admissions Dean Lee Ho-seop, Dean of International Affairs Chun Seh-jae, Dean of Research Lim Ho-sun, Director of the Library Kwon Seong-woo, Director of the Sookmyung Cultural Institute Jung Sang-hyun, Chair of the Department of History & Culture Kang Hye-kyung, Director of the Startup Innovation Center Son Jong-seo, Cultural Planning Team Leader Hong Kyoung-a, and Fundraising & Development Team Manager Song Un-a.
Through this agreement, the two institutions plan to carry out various cooperative projects to pass on the founding spirit of Sookmyung Women’s University, which celebrates its 120th anniversary, to future generations while revisiting their shared historical connection. They will collaborate on producing Korean Wave (Hallyu) content using the royal court cultural heritage held by the Prince Uichin Memorial Foundation, as well as on branding initiatives such as cultural content and commemorative merchandise. Educational programs, internships, and scholarship initiatives for students will also be jointly developed.
This agreement is significant in that it concretizes the historical connection between the two institutions—linked through the imperial household of the Korean Empire—into practical cooperation in the fields of education and culture. Since the Prince Uichin Memorial Foundation manages royal artifacts of the imperial court and supports the production of historical dramas and films set during that period, strong synergy is expected with Sookmyung Women’s University, which has strengthened Hallyu education and research through its College of Global Korean Studies and Graduate School of K‑Culture.
Lee Jun, Chairman of the Prince Uichin Memorial Foundation, said, “Emperor Gojong once said that a nation becomes strong through its people, and that people become strong through education. If we trust one another and unite our efforts, today’s agreement—like a small sprout—will one day grow into a vast forest.”
Moon Si-yeun, President of Sookmyung Women’s University, added, “I hope that through this agreement the cultural heritage of the imperial household of the Korean Empire will meet Sookmyung’s educational and research capabilities and lead to meaningful collaborative achievements.”
Meanwhile, the historical background of how the imperial household of the Korean Empire founded Sookmyung Women’s University was also highlighted in the special documentary “Opening the First Classroom for New Women: Queen Sunheon”, broadcast on March 8 on TV Chosun. The documentary tells the story of Queen Sunheon, who opened the door to modern women’s education 120 years ago during a turbulent period when the nation faced crisis. (Please click here to watch the documentary clip.)