Dr. Lee Kang Sook, the first president of K-Arts, has passed away aged 84 from chronic disease

The first president of K-arts, Dr. Lee Kang Sook has passed away from chronic disease on 22 December 2020. Dr. Lee studied at the Seoul National University (1961), University of Houston (1970), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (1975) and received honorary doctorate degree from the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory (1999). He also taught at the Seoul National University as a professor (1977-1992) and served as chairman of the Ahn Eak Tai Foundation (2002).

In 1992, when the K-Arts was newly established as the first national conservatoire of South Korea, Dr. Lee was appointed as the first president and served three successive terms until 2002. He was also professor emeritus of the K-Arts. In recognition of his contribution and achievements to the development of nation’s arts education, the government decorated him the Golden Crown Medal of Culture, the most prestigious honor in 2002. 

A memorial service in his honor was held on 24 December in K-Arts Seocho-campus, where the K-Arts had started. Dean of School of Music Prof. Kim Daejin as well as the staff representative addressed funeral oration followed by the moments of silence, then, Prof. Lee Seokjun and his wind quintet presented funeral songs to pay tribute him. The School also delivered an appreciation plaque to the family during the memorial.