Koo Bon-young '70 of economics, a former science and technology minister, died from an unspecified chronic disease on January 12. He was 62.

Koo graduated from Seoul National University's economy department and obtained his doctorate at George Washington University. After working as a senior researcher at the Korea Development Institute, he started his career in the public sector in 1982 as an advisor to the Finance Ministry, which later became the Ministry of Strategy and Finance.

He held positions as Korean minister in the United States; vice transportation minister; vice science and technology minister; presidential secretary for economy; science and technology minister; and ambassador to the OECD.

After retiring from public posts, he became an advisor for Kim & Chang, a law firm, and a committee head at the Korea Center for International Finance.

He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

A memorial service will be held at Seoul National University Hospital until Wednesday, followed by the burial.

January 14, 2009
SNU PR Office